The Porziuncola is the place where St. Francis has lived and is dead.

In origin the Chapel belonged to the Benedictine monks of the Subasio and took the name for the fact that was situated in the denominated zone "Portiuncula."

Remained for long time in abandonment, it was restored by St. Francis when returned to Assisi at the end of 1207 it devoted him for everything the 1208 to the reparation of St. Damiano, of St. Pietro to the Spina and of the Porziuncola of Saint Maria of the Angels.

Clear it was St. Bonaventura from Bagnoregio that He will write on St. Francis and the Porziuncola:

"fixing here his abode for the reverence that had toward the Angels and for the great love to the Mother of Christ to which the chiesina was devoted"

This is also the period in which Saint Francis outlined the first characteristics of the Franciscan Rule, taking inspiration from the "Missal" and the "Gospel".

In that period Saint Francis lived in the little Porziuncola chapel, where sometimes a benedictine monk of the Abbey of Mount Subasio said Mass.

It was February 24th, 1209.

While the benedictine monk was reading aloud the X chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel, St. Francis suddenly understood what he had to do and a new world opened to him:

"Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff" (Matthew 10:10)

This was what the Gospel said and Francis took it literally

From the Benedictines it got in gift the place and the chapel to do its center of his new institution.

Near the Porziuncola on March 28 1211 Chiara of Favarone of Offreduccio received you from St. Francis the religious suit, beginning the order of the Clarisses.

Always to the Porziuncola in 1216, in a vision, St. Francis got from same Jesus the indu1genza of the Pardon in Assisi, that was approved at the Pope Onorio III and you/he/she is daily obtainable from all the believers for the whole year.

To the Porziuncola San Francis gathered every year his/her monks in the Chapters (general assemblies), to discuss of the order and of the Rule.

Today the Porziuncola is, englobed in the Renaissance Basilica of Saint Maria of the Angels. .

The visit in the Basilica is possible every day from the 6:15 at 20:00 o'clock

In the summer the Basilica it has been also open since 21:00 at 23:00 o'clock (the schedules can vary without notice).

Photo get from san-francesco.org

The Basilica has normally opened to the cult with the liturgical hourly following:

Saint Mass weekdays	7:00 - 8:00 - 9:00 - 11:00 - 17:00
Saint Mass holidays	6:00 - 7:00 - 8:00 - 9:00 - 10:00 - 11:30 - 17:00 - 18:00
Lodi (Praises)	From Monday to Saturday 6:30
Adoration Eucaristica	From Monday to Saturday 15:30 - 17:30
Vespro	19:00
Complete Mass	Summer period 22:45
Rosario and procession aux flambeaux	every Saturday 21:15