August 2, the forgiveness of Assisi: prepare for the great event of Mercy

From noon on August 1 until midnight on August 2, one can receive the plenary indulgence, also known as "the forgiveness of Assisi", only once.

Required conditions:

1) visit to a parish or Franciscan church and recite of our Father and Creed;

2) sacramental confession;

3) Eucharistic communion;

4) Prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father;

5) Willingness that excludes all affection for sin.

The conditions referred to in nos. 2, 3 and 4 can also be fulfilled in the days preceding or following the visit of the church. However, it is convenient that communion and prayer for the Holy Father be performed on the day of the visit.

Indulgence can be applied both to the living and in suffrage of the deceased.

HISTORY OF THE PLENARY INDULGENCE OF THE FORGIVENESS OF ASSISI
For his singular love for the Blessed Virgin, St. Francis always took particular care of the little church near Assisi dedicated to S. Maria degli Angeli, also called Porziuncola. Here he took up a permanent residence with his friars in 1209 after returning from Rome, here with Santa Chiara in 1212 he founded the Second Franciscan Order, here he concluded the course of his earthly life on 3 October 1226.

According to tradition, St. Francis obtained the historic Plenary Indulgence (1216) at the same church, which the Supreme Pontiffs confirmed and subsequently extended to the Churches of the Order and to other Churches

From the Franciscan sources (cf FF 33923399)

One night of the year of the Lord 1216, Francis was immersed in prayer and contemplation in the church of the Porziuncola near Assisi, when suddenly a very bright light spread in the church and Francis saw the Christ above the altar and his Holy Mother on his right, surrounded by a multitude of angels. Francis silently worshiped his Lord with his face on the ground!

Then they asked him what he wanted for the salvation of souls. Francis' response was immediate: "Most Holy Father, although I am a miserable sinner, I pray that everyone, repented and confessed, will come to visit this church, grant him ample and generous forgiveness, with a complete remission of all sins" .

“What you ask, O Brother Francis, is great, the Lord said to him, but you are worthy of greater things and you will have more. I therefore welcome your prayer, but on condition that you ask my Vicar on earth, for my part, for this indulgence ”. And Francis immediately presented himself to Pope Honorius III who was in Perugia in those days and told him with candor the vision he had had. The Pope listened to him carefully and after some difficulty gave his approval. Then he said, "For how many years do you want this indulgence?" Francis snapping replied: "Holy Father, I do not ask for years but souls". And happy he went to the door, but the Pontiff called him back: "How, you don't want any documents?". And Francis: “Holy Father, your word is enough for me! If this indulgence is the work of God, He will think of manifesting his work; I don't need any document, this card must be the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Christ the notary and the Angels the witnesses ".

And a few days later together with the Bishops of Umbria, to the people gathered at the Porziuncola, he said in tears: "My brothers, I want to send you all to Heaven!".