A place for a house in a church

Editor's note: Sixth in a series on the sacred places and tombs of saints included in The Compass pilgrimage to Rome and Paris that retired Green Bay Bishop Robert Banks will lead May 3-13. (More information)

By Tony Staley

	Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels What: World's seventh largest Christian church and the place where Francis started his order and died When: Built in the 16-17th centuries around a 9th century chapel Where: Assisi, Italy

On their second day of touring Italy, the pilgrims will go to Assisi. Over the next four weeks, we'll look at the sites they will visit, starting with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.

The basilica is the most important site for Franciscans because it contains the Porziuncola - the place where Francis founded his order - and the Chapel of the Transito - the cell where he died on Oct. 3, 1226.

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, as it is known in Italian, is on a plain at the base of the hill of Assisi, about two miles from the old medieval town.

The basilica was built from 1569 to 1679 and surrounds the Porziuncola, a small chapel dedicated to Mary. Francis had a great devotion to Mary and legends says that the chapel contained relics from the Virgin's life. Francis had begun living nearby in a hut, restoring the small abandoned church of San Damiano. It was there, in 1209, where Francis understood his vocation and renounced the world so he could live in poverty among the poor.

The Porziuncola (also Portiuncola) belonged to the Benedictine Abbey of Mt. Subasio and the abbot gave it to Francis. Soon he was joined by numerous other men and it was there, in 1211, that St. Clare of Assisi received the habit as the first Poor Clare nun.

Francis gathered all his friars annually at the Porziuncola for a chapter to discuss their Rule of Life and renew their dedication to living the Gospel. More than 5,000 friars attended the Chapter of Mats (Stuoie) in 1221.

In 1216 at the Porziuncola, Jesus appeared to Francis and said he would grant whatever favor Francis wanted. Francis asked for a plenary indulgence for all who go to confession and visit the little building.

The area is also the site of a rose garden where Francis invited the turtledoves to praise the Lord. Tradition also says that one night, to battle a temptation, Francis rolled naked among the brambles, which turned into thornless dog roses.

In September 1226, the dying Francis asked to be taken from the bishop's house to the Porziuncola; He died in a nearby cell.

After Francis' death, the friars built several huts around the chapel, added a refectory and other buildings in 1230.

By the 16th century so many pilgrims were coming to Assisi to receive the "Pardon of Assisi" that a larger church was needed. Pope Pius V (1566-1572) ordered that all the buildings be removed except the Chapel of the Transito. (Foundations for some of these buildings were found in 1967 and 1969 during excavations under the basilica.)

Work on the present basilica began on March 25, 1569. Money problems slowed construction, but it was finally completed in 1679. A bell tower was added in 1684.

The church was greatly damaged by an earthquake in 1832 and its façade was redone in a neoclassical style during the reconstruction from 1836 to 1840. The façade was restored to its original style from 1924 to 1930.

Pope Pius X declared it to be a "patriarchal basilica and papal chapel" on April 11, 1909. Since it was built, numerous artistic masterpieces have been added.

(Staley is a retired editor of The Compass.)

Next: Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Assisi