Eighth Centenary of the Pardon of Assisi

The year was 1216. A little man called Francis went to Pope Honorius III, and asked for a special dispensation to help people in their search for salvation.  This is the origin of the Portiuncula Indulgence, also called the "Pardon of Assisi."

The Pardon of Assisi is also known as the Portiuncula Indulgence. In July of 1216, Francis prayed at the chapel of the Portiuncula in Assisi asking Jesus for a general pardon for all those who come to pray in the chapel dedicated to Our Lady. He wanted the salvation for all. On 2 August he announcedto all the faithful gathered, this indulgence in the name of Jesus and approved by the Pope, saying “Brothers, I want to send you all into Paradise.”

The year was 2015. On the 8th of December, another man named Francis, that is Pope Francis, announced the opening of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which continues until the 20th of November 2016.

God always gives graces to all. But every now and then we celebrate a jubilee. In the Old Testament this happened every 50 years. Each generation had its jubilee, this extraordinary event, the time of grace from the Lord. Now we, too, are experiencing a Jubilee of Mercy. Although now, this is not tied to a specific date. Pope Francis proclaimed this to remind us that God is merciful and that we must be merciful to one another.

These two moments may be separated by 800 years, but divine mercy is eternal, and is a constant challenge to us...

In this year of mercy, we friars, as sons of the Church, proclaim mercy.

The Holy Father has strongly challenged us in this regard:

“The Church is commissioned to announce the mercy of God, the beating heart of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every person.”(MV12)

2016 is the 8th centenary of the Pardon of Assisi. During the Year of Pardon, we hope to embark on new ways of giving witness to the fraternal love shared by all the Franciscans, and of demonstrating reconciliation between us.

Dear brothers, we wholeheartedly wish that this year of favor will be a special year for each of our communities. May this 8th Centenary of the Pardon of Assisi on the 2 August be celebrated in each fraternity in a special way. May we, as a Franciscan family, receive this great gift of God's mercy and offer it to all our brothers and sisters in the Church. Peace and all good!

What about us, friars?  What do we make of this inheritance? How will we celebrate it?  When and where?