The Portiuncula (“Mary’s little portion) was a small chapel built on the outskirts of Assisi. Owned by a local Benedictine monastery, the chapel had deteriorated over the years. By the time of St. Francis of Assisi, it was a shell of it’s former self. Francis had gone through his time of conversion, and was going about the Assisi countryside, repairing these abandoned chapels, including the Portiuncula.

Many of us have a place of worship that means a lot for us. It is a place where we may feel the Presence of God more deeply. So it was with Francis, and his brothers. But, as important as the Portiuncula was to them, it did not prevent them from going out into the fields, towns, and villages. They went out proclaiming the Good News, by word and deed.

Eventually, this chapel would become very dear to Francis and his brothers. They prayed in it daily together; celebrated Mass together. I once saw an illustration of the chapel, with it surrounded by small huts, built by the friars.

We are all called to go out and meet with others. We are all called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all we come in contact with.