When the idea of duplicating the birthplace of the Franciscan Order, the tiny chapel in Assisi Saint Francis called his Porziuncola, in San Francisco, few people thought it would be possible. The construction and completion of this small marvel in September, 2008, is testament to the power of prayer as well as a demonstration of the holy work of Saint Francis in this century. Over the last year, we have seen our little Porziuncola become not only a place of prayer for locals and tourists from around the world, but a destination of religious pilgrimage.

When you are in San Francisco, I hope you will drop by the corner of Columbus and Vallejo, two blocks above Washington Square and the church of Saints Peter and Paul. The Church of Saint Francis is closed right now for renovations, but the tiny Porziuncola (translation of this idiom means “My little corner of the world”) remains open. Inside what once was a gymnasium, later a thrift shop, the first church of Saint Francis has been recreated at 78% of size. Artists were found in Italy to recreate the art adorning the outside and inside walls, artisans were located in this country to recreate the iron work inside this humble chapel. Stone was shipped in from Italy, matching stone found in the United States, and the good friars in Assisi sent a rock from the original Porziuncola for us to display inside. As they say, “This rock saw Saint Francis.”

The appeal of Saint Francis is universal and frankly quite amazing. This was a man who at a time of the growth of enormous personal wealth in Europe, turned his back on the riches of his father and lavish ways of the Catholic Church and found God in all simple things. The idea was straightforward and unstoppable. Some say Saint Francis saved Christianity in Europe.

So many people wanted what Saint Francis had that they came and camped around his little chapel in the woods to hear him speak. Saint Clara and her sister came and wanted to join in as well. Saint Francis was shocked at all the attention. Desperate to feed all these people, he created monasteries to house these new devotees. Franciscan monasteries, the Order of Friars Minor, sprung up over Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Hungary and the east.

No pope in Rome could stop him, not Innocent III or Honorius III. Francis needed no money to continue his ministry and indeed, the pope saw the fervor in this new movement and wanted to have such a powerful person on his side and asked Francis what he wanted. Francis saw the practice of selling Indulgences and said that he wanted a pardon for ordinary people, poor people who couldn’t afford to give money to the church. Pope Honorius III gave Francis what has been named The Pardon of Assisi, complete pardon for those who pray at the Porziuncola.

As a Knight of Saint Francis, it is my pleasure to tend this tiny North Beach neighborhood chapel. We clean it, support it, and protect it, keeping it open for locals and tourists. Some people come in to pray. Others come in for some much needed silence in this noisy world. Others stare at the wonderful fourteenth century painting behind the stone altar and break into song. It’s a humbling experience to see that even non-Christians know who Saint Francis is and come to bask in the refuge and beauty of this simple chapel of Saint Francis.

When you’re in San Francisco, I hope you’ll drop in for a visit!