Little Church of St. Francis
by Carolyn Derstine
Title
Little Church of St. Francis
Artist
Carolyn Derstine
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Porziuncola is a small Catholic church located within the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels in Assisi. In 1211, St. Francis obtained a permanent foothold in this town near Assisi, through the generosity of the Benedictines, who gave him the little chapel of St. Mary of the Angels or the Portiuncula, which means a “little portion” of land. Adjoining the humble sanctuary of Portiuncula, the first Franciscan convent was formed by the erection of a few small huts or cells of straw and mud, and enclosed by a hedge. This settlement was the beginning of the Franciscan Order. St. Francis himself pointed out the Portiuncola as a primary source of inspiration and a model for all his followers. After the death of Francis, the spiritual value and the charisma of the Porziuncola became even greater and was visited by many pilgrims. Eventually, in order to protect this sacred chapel, a larger cathedral was built in the mid 1500's, enclosing the Portiuncola. The modesty of the small church forms an ironic contrast to the majestic scale and style of the larger cathedral, in light of the life of simplicity that St. Francis led.
Uploaded
July 15th, 2018
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