OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS

Day 84: August 2

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One night in the year of the Lord 1216, St. Francis was immersed in prayer and contemplation in the little church of the Porziuncola, when suddenly a very lively light spread in the church and Francis saw Christ over the altar and covered with splendor and on His right His Holy Mother, surrounded by a multitude of Angels. Francis silently worshiped his Lord with his face on the ground!

They then asked him what he wanted for the salvation of souls. Francis’s answer was immediate: “Lord, although I am a wretched and a sinner, I pray that all of those who, repentant and confessed, will come to visit this church, may you grant abundant and generous forgiveness, with a complete remission of all faults”. “What you ask, Brother Francis, is great,” the Lord said to him, “but you are more worthy of greater things and greater will you receive.” I therefore grant your prayer, but on the condition that you ask my Vicar on earth, on my part, for this indulgence”.

And Francis immediately presented himself to Pope Honorius III, who in those days was in Perugia and told him with candor the vision he had. The Pope listened to him attentively and after some difficulty he gave his approval. Then he said, “How many years would you want this indulgence to be?” Francesco promptly replied: “Holy Father, I do not ask for years, but for souls”. And joyfully, he went to the door, but the Pontiff called him: “But wait, do you not want documents?”. And Francis: “Holy Father, your word is enough for me!

If this indulgence is the work of God, He will be the one to take care of revealing His work; I do not need any documents: this document must represent the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ is the Notary and the Angels the witnesses." And a few days later, together with the Bishops of Umbria, to the people convened at the Porziuncola, he said in tears: “My brothers, I want to send you all to Heaven!”.


St Justin Russolillo Writes...

"We unite ourselves to the favor and love that the Divine Father has for you. For all eternity, on behalf of and in the name of the first Divine Person, we salute you: Full of grace of the Father. He, the Lord, is with you."

(Spirit of Prayer, trans. Louis Caputo, Newark, Vocationist Fathers, 1996, p. 154)

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