MERCY TOURS
Your Catholic pilgrimage resource
A Spiritual and Cultural experience
This beautiful medieval town is so well known because of one of the most beloved saints of all time – St. Francis. Francis was a fun loving troubadour from a well-to-do family, and dramatically changed his life because of a call from God to “rebuild My Church which is in ruin.” This change resulted in his father disowning him and Francis willingly gave up everything he once held dear to embrace “Lady Poverty”. Francis was not a priest, because he did not feel he was worthy enough (he was a deacon). He was the first known person to receive the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, which he received on September 17, 1224. St. Francis died during the evening of October 3, 1226, and his feast is celebrated October 4th. His soul mate, St. Clare was one of his most devoted followers. Clare was also from a wealthy family, and encountered much opposition because of choosing to follow Francis instead of the lifestyle planned for her in marriage. Only after Francis cut her beautiful long blond hair off did her family realize they could never win her back. Eventually, Clare’s sisters and mother entered the convent with her. She was canonized within two years of her death in 1253 and her feast day is celebrated August 11th. St. Clare’s incorrupt body, now covered in wax can be seen in the crypt of the basilica named after her.
As we tour this ancient city, which is so well preserved, we can feel the “spirit of Francis and Clare” with us. It is virtually impossible to look at this city separate from their lives, and everyone will leave Assisi with the knowledge of the powerful intercession of these two humble children of God. The center of their lives was the Holy Eucharist. At Clare’s canonization, some of her sisters testified that she trembled all over when she received Jesus in Holy Communion. Most people don’t realize that Francis and Clare contributed significantly to the development of what has come to be known as “Eucharistic Adoration”. It is this love of St. Francis and St. Clare toward the Eucharistic Lord, which all Franciscans profess.
We will be visiting the Basilica of St. Francis that houses his tomb and the famous magnificent frescoes in the Upper Basilica; the Basilica of St. Clare, which in addition to her body also contains the original crucifix which spoke to St. Francis at San Damiano, some of their clothing, and her hair in a glass reliquary. We will visit St. Mary of the Angels which houses the Portiuncula where St. Francis spent most of his life, the spot where he died, and the thornless rose garden that he threw himself into as a penance. Attempts to transplant these bushes result in them growing with thorns elsewhere! Many more sites will be visited in this extraordinary town.
The Pardon of Assisi, the Plenary Indulgence of the Portiuncula
A Gift of God’s Merciful Love Given Through His Church;
It was a night in the year of our Lord 1216, Francis was immersed in prayer and contemplation in the small church of the Portiuncula, when all of a sudden the church was filled with a brilliant light and Francis saw, above the altar, Christ clothed in light and on His right His holy Mother, surrounded by a multitude of angels. Francis with his face on the ground adored his Lord in silence. They asked him what he desired for the salvation of souls. Francis responded immediately: “Holiest Father, even though I’m a poor sinner, I pray that all who come to this church, repented for their sins and having confessed them, may they receive a bountiful and generous pardon, with the full remission of all faults.” “Your request is great, oh Brother Francis” – the Lord answered – “but of greater things you are worthy and greater things you will receive. I therefore grant you your prayer, but only under the condition that you ask my Vicar on earth, on my behalf, this indulgence.”
Brother Francis immediately went to Pope Honorious III, who was staying in Perugia those days, and with great candor described the vision he had. The Pope listened to him with great attention and after some difficulty gave his approval. He then said: “For how many years would you like this indulgence?” Francis responded promptly, “Holy Father, I do not ask for years, but for souls.” Happy he went towards the door, but the Pope called him back. “Do you not even want a document?” Francis said, “Holy Father, your word is enough for me! If this indulgence is from God, He will know how to manifest it; I need no document, the paper must be the Holiest Virgin Mary, Christ is the notary, and the Angels the witnesses.” A few days later, along with the bishops of Umbria, he said with eyes filled with tears, to the population gathered around the Portiuncula, “My brothers, I want to send everyone to Heaven!”
Conditions for receiving the Plenary Indulgence of the Pardon of Assisi:
Sacramental Reconciliation (within 8 days)
Sacramental Reconciliation (within 8 days)Holy Communion
Holy CommunionVisit the Portunicula
Visit the PortuniculaPrayers:
Prayers: Our Father
Creed
Pray for the intentions of the Pope
“Take and eat, this is My Body which is given for you.”
Chronology of the life of St. Francis
1182Francis is born in Assisi, he was baptized John but his father, who was away on business when he was born, names him Francis for his mother’s beloved homeland, France.
Francis is born in Assisi, he was baptized John but his father, who was away on business when he was born, names him Francis for his mother’s beloved homeland, France.1202Francis is captured at the battle of Ponte and imprisoned in Perugia
Francis is captured at the battle of Ponte and imprisoned in Perugia1203Francis is freed and returns to Assisi ill and remains so for several years.
Francis is freed and returns to Assisi ill and remains so for several years.1204In the spring Francis decides to answer the call of the Pope for a Crusade. His desire was always to be a famous knight. At Spoleto, in a dream he is told to return back home to Assisi.
In the spring Francis decides to answer the call of the Pope for a Crusade. His desire was always to be a famous knight. At Spoleto, in a dream he is told to return back home to Assisi.1205At San Damiano, Francis hears the Crucifix say to him “REPAIR MY HOUSE”. In Foligno, Francis sells cloth from his father’s shop to get money to repair the church and thus begins the conflict with his father.
At San Damiano, Francis hears the Crucifix say to him “REPAIR MY HOUSE”. In Foligno, Francis sells cloth from his father’s shop to get money to repair the church and thus begins the conflict with his father.1206In the Spring, Francis renounces his patrimony in front of the Bishop and leaves for Gubbio. He returns to Assisi in the summer, dressed as a hermit and begins to repair San Damiano.
In the Spring, Francis renounces his patrimony in front of the Bishop and leaves for Gubbio. He returns to Assisi in the summer, dressed as a hermit and begins to repair San Damiano.1206- 1208Francis successfully repairs San Damiano, a chapel dedicated to St. Peter and the Porziuncula.
Francis successfully repairs San Damiano, a chapel dedicated to St. Peter and the Porziuncula.1208.February Francis hears the Gospel for the feast of St Mattias, and discovers his vocation for Evangelical poverty, changes from a leather belt to a rope cincture. He begins to preach. In April Bernardo di Quintavalle and Peter Catanii join Francis.
February Francis hears the Gospel for the feast of St Mattias, and discovers his vocation for Evangelical poverty, changes from a leather belt to a rope cincture. He begins to preach. In April Bernardo di Quintavalle and Peter Catanii join Francis.1209.Francis writes a short rule, by now 11 have joined and they all set out for Rome for Papal approval for the order which is given by Innocent III.
Francis writes a short rule, by now 11 have joined and they all set out for Rome for Papal approval for the order which is given by Innocent III.1212 March 18-19-On the night after Palm Sunday, Francis received Clare into the order at the
Porziuncola; the order of the Poor Ladies begins. Several weeks later Clare and her ladies move to San Damiano.
1213 May 8 – Count Orlando of Chiusa offers Francis the mountain of La Verna to build a hermitage.
May 8 – Count Orlando of Chiusa offers Francis the mountain of La Verna to build a hermitage.1219 Francis goes to the Holy Land
1223 Christmas at Greccio, where the first crèche is introduced by Francis.
Christmas at Greccio, where the first crèche is introduced by Francis.1224 August 15-Sept 29 Francis returns to La Verna and receives the Stigmata
1225 Francis writes the Canticle of the Creatures
1226 Francis writes his Testament in April at La Cella in Cortuna. Later returns to the Porziuncola
1226 October 3, Francis dies at the Porziuncola and is buried in the Church of San Giorgio
October 3, Francis dies at the Porziuncola and is buried in the Church of San Giorgio1228 July 16, Francis is canonized in Assisi
1230May 25, the body of St. Francis is transferred from San Giorgio to the new basilica constructed in his honor.
May 25, the body of St. Francis is transferred from San Giorgio to the new basilica constructed in his honor. Mercy Tours Inc. 6504 28th Street S.E. Suite Q Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
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