Our Lady of the Angels

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels, patroness of the Franciscan order.  This day is important to Franciscans because it honors our Lady under the title of a basilica that was the location where St. Francis of Assisi felt his vocation to renew the Church on February 24, 1208.

This would be the place where St. Francis would be given the "Portiuncula" or little chapel.  Here he would spend most of his time and would die on October 3, 1226.  According to tradition, this chapel held the relics of the grave of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It would be under Benedictine control until they gave it to St. Francis.  A large basilica was built over the chapel and an indulgence is granted to those who visit the chapel and follow the requirements needed to obtain it.