Porziuncola

Portiuncula (from Latin smaller piece of land; Italian Porziuncola ) is the common name of the chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli three km below Assisi in Umbria ( central Italy ). Your official name carries the chapel after the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, which was built from 1569 at the behest of Pope Pius V on the chapel. Construction of the cathedral was only completed in 1679. In the German literature can be found alongside the Latin form Portiuncula The notations Porziuncola and Portiuncula.

The chapel was famous because there the Franciscan Order had its origin. On October 3, 1226 passed away (now known as Francis of Assisi or holy Francis ) in this church Francesco Bernardone in a circle of companions.

History

The church was first mentioned in 1045 in a document, which is now kept in the archives of the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi. Originally, the chapel of hermits under Pope Liberius ( 352-366 ) to have been built, the stored containing relics of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Legend has it that the chapel in the year 516 passed into the possession of St. Benedict of Nursia, it was called Our Lady of the Valley of Josaphat or of the Angels, the latter in honor of the Assumption, accompanied by a host of angels.

The church was later abandoned as a ruin in a holm oak forest. Francis of Assisi made ​​this and two other small churches restored, after he had heard speak in one of them, in San Damiano, Jesus from the Cross ago: do not you see, that my house may be forfeited? [ ... ] 'll Create it again! Therefore Franz Portiuncula built with his own hands again and decided to follow Jesus according to the Gospel (Matthew 10, 5-15) follow in poverty. 1208 was the abbot of the Benedictine monastery at Monte Subasio, the mountain give the little church above Assisi, Francis, under the condition that it could make it to the center of its community. There would, however, contradicted Franzens principles to own property, he insisted, Portiuncula only rent as annual percentage rate of a basket was agreed fish. Franz was immediately afterwards settle this debt in advance and bring the abbot a basket of fish.

On Palm Sunday, 18 March of the year 1214, received in this church Klara, a cousin of Rufino, an early companions of Francis of Assisi, Francis of the robe of a nun to live from then on as a nun. Klara later founded with her ​​companions in San Damiano the Poor Clares.

Every year at Pentecost held there, the Franciscan brothers their annual general meeting, in 1221 there were already over 5,000.

At the request of St.. Franz granted Pope Honorius III. for the faithful visit the Portiuncula, when he became connected with the reception of the sacrament of penance, a plenary indulgence. Since then, the band one of the most important places of pilgrimage was. Pope Sixtus IV extended this privilege drain 1480 to all Franciscan churches. Subsequently, many of these churches own Portiunkulakapellen were grown as free recreations of the original.

Connection with Los Angeles

On September 4, 1781 in the United States called a city newly founded Los Angeles. The name comes from Spanish and means " The Angels ", the full name was " El pueblo de la reina de los Ángeles " ( " The Village of the Queen of the Angels " ), unofficially, was often called " El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula, " ( " The Village of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels of the Portiuncula river " ), which contains the term Portiuncula.

Shaping

The chapel was decorated by artists from all of the following centuries. Famous is outside the colorful, now perceived by some as corny fresco ( 1829) by Friedrich Overbeck, who belonged to the group of artists of the Nazarene, which shows Francis of Assisi as recipients of the grace of Jesus and Mary.

The chapel also decorate frescoes unknown Umbrian artist. Is located on the side of a grave slab of Pietro Cattani from the year 1221st inside the entrance is a fresco by Pietro Vannucci, the Il Perugino was called to see the image of the crucifixion of Jesus from 1485. It was heavily damaged during the construction of Santa Maria degli Angeli Cathedral. The door from the 15th century shows floral motifs.

Interior is decorated the chapel sober and simple. Some stones from Mount Subasio had dragged himself for the reconstruction of Francis of Assisi. In the apse frescoes six of the priest Hilary of Viterbo are of 1393 to see that show scenes from the life of Francis of Assisi.