Francis obtains a special indulgence from the Pope that allows anyone who visits the Portiuncula chapel to receive a plenary indulgence. One night while praying fervently in the chapel, Francis has a vision of Christ who tells him he can ask for any favor. Francis requests that anyone who visits the chapel receive a plenary indulgence, which would make indulgences more widely available. The Pope grants Francis's request, changing Church tradition and allowing indulgences to be given without requiring alms.

1. FRANCIS GIVES HIS CLOAK TO A BEGGAR.
The first window in this beautiful series represents Francis, whom Providence had
destined to found the great Order of Friars Minor, at the height of his worldly ambition,
aspiring to Knighthood at the age of twenty one. Son of a rich merchant of Assisi, his
ardent soul found anything but satisfaction in measuring out goods to customers. To
satisfy his yearning ambition, he entered upon the military career. This pleased his
father, since there was glory in sight for his family, and he gladly furnished the means
for a gorgeous equipment. Hence the costly garments of the son of Bernardone in this
scene, and in the background the attendant holding a restive horse.
Francis is seen generously giving his cloak to a beggar, and this act dearly marks a
turning point in his life. This incident is thus told by the Saint's biographers. Ever
since his imprisonment in Perugia during the year 1202 -1203, the result of the strife
between that city and Assisi, Francis was seized with a feeling of unrest from which he
could not free himself. "More than ever he dreamed of great deeds, of strange
adventures. He too would be a Knight of the Holy Grail, he too would go out into
the world, offer his blood for the cause of the Greatest and Highest," and perhaps return
home crowned with glory and fame. Like many of the youths of Italy, he would join the
forces of Walter of Brienne in southern Italy, to fight for the Church and Italian liberty,
and receive knighthood at the hands of the leader. "He set about equipping himself
for the undertaking in a fashion befitting the greatness of his ambition"; so that his
garments surpassed in beauty and costliness those of his companion in arms, Count
Gentile, though he, too, was a man of wealth and fashion.
"The day of departure was at hand and Francis was already delighting in the glory of his
newly bought equipment, when he happened to fall in with a knight whose shabby
dress betokened a straitened poverty. And this to Francis seemed a great shame, that
one who belonged to so high a profession should be clothed so meanly. Straightway he
made over his own gorgeous mantle and tunic and all his costly apparel to the poor
knight".
God rewarded this charitable deed of Francis by making known to him in a dream,
during the following night, that he was not to obtain greatness in the service of the
world, but in that of his Lord and God. However, he could not dream of the great
designs of Providence for him, nor of the great part he and his Order were to play in the
betterment of society.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

2. FRANCIS RENOUNCES THE WORLD.
Here we behold Francis about five years later, Apr. 16, 1207. God's grace has
matured his vocation. He stands with his father before Bishop Guido of Assisi and his
episcopal court and makes the supreme sacrifice of his life. He renounces the world and
dedicates himself publicly and unreservedly to the service of God. Admonished by that"
mysterious voice" at Spoleto, Francis abandoned his aspirations for military glory and
returned to Assisi, to take up again the threads of his former life. He went back to his
father's business, and the youths of the city at once reelected him, on account of his
prodigality, captain of their revels. But his heart was neither in his father's business nor
in the frivolities of his companions.
He commenced to associate with the poor of the city and, encouraged by his good
mother Pica, led a life of prayer and penance, giving liberal alms, at times from the
goods of his father, to the chagrin of the latter. Finally, upon the return from a long
journey, the sensitive Pietro
Bernardone, perceiving that he was earning but taunts and humiliation for the life of his
son, sternly resolved to have it out with him. He threatened to disinherit his
"wayward" son and hale him before the magistrates of the city for that purpose.
Francis, in spite of his filial piety, was equally determined and felt that he was man
enough to stand his ground. Since he refused to appear before the commune, having
dedicated himself to religion and hence no longer subject to the jurisdiction of the civil
courts, his father carried his complaints to the Bishop. Francis obeyed the summons of
the Bishop, and when the demands of his father were made known to him, he arose,
threw his wallet to his father's feet, handed back even the clothes he wore, and, raising
his eyes, declared with a loud voice: “Hitherto I have called Pietro Bernardone father;
henceforth I will say in all truth, Our Father who art in Heaven."
Never before had such an act of renunciation been made in that court. In their midst
stood Francis, divested of all but a coarse hair shirt. His father was nonplussed. The
Bishop wept and so did the people. Francis had found his quest, he had found his
"Lady Poverty" in a scene, indeed, famous in the annals of the Saints and ever an
inspiration for generous youths to follow his example.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

3. FRANCIS INVESTS ST. CLARE.
Again five years have passed. By this time the Seraphic spirit that inflamed the
heart of Francis had gained him many followers among the young men, and
commenced to extend itself to the maidens of Assisi. Foremost amongst the latter
was Lady Clare, who, under the guidance of the Saint,. became the foundress of the
Second Order of St. Francis, generally known as the Order of
Poor Clares.
Clare was the daughter of Favorini dei Scifi, who belonged to one of the noblest families
in the territories of Assisi. Distinguished by her birth, as well as by her noble qualities of
body and mind, she seemed destined to uphold the traditions of her family and to reign
as the mistress of one of the many feudal castles of her native land. But her pious mind.
was far from being captivated by the honors and riches and pleasures of the world.
Every offer of marriage was rejected. Her only desire was to serve God with all her
mind and heart.
Filled with a holy enthusiasm by the words of St. Francis, to whom she went for
instruction and advice, she determined, after serious deliberation, to abandon her
earthly prospects and after the example of Francis, to follow more closely in the
footsteps of Christ, by adopting a life of poverty and prayer. This resolution she carried
out during the night of March 19, 1212. Accompanied by her maid, she left her father's
house and went to the little church of the Portiuncola. Here Francis and his Brethren
were awaiting her, here she vowed herself to God according to the strict Rule of St.
Francis.
It is remarkable how this Order of ladies, throughout the centuries and amid all the
opulence and luxuries of the world, has preserved its original discipline. Once within the
enclosure, their faces are but rarely seen again by the world. Living exclusively from
alms, they lead a life of penance and prayer. They wear the coarse woolen habit of the
Franciscans, go barefooted all year, never eat meat, and fast the greater part of the
year. They arise at midnight, to chant the Solemn -Matins and Lauds of the Church
and to give at least half an hour to meditation. In this country they have Monasteries in
Chicago, New Orleans, Omaha, Evansville, Ind., and Oakland, Cal. They are the pride
of the cities that are fortunate enough to harbor them; they belong to the choicest
flowers of the Church, and are the Vestal Virgins of Christendom.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

4. FRANCIS THE LOVER OF NATURE.
The scene represented in the fourth window is a reproduction of the celebrated painting of Joseph
von Fuehrich. It shows us St. Francis seated in the solitude of Mount Alverna, surrounded by the
animals of the forest, who approach him not only without fear, but also seat themselves on his arms and
shoulders and press close to him with signs of trust and affection. In this way the artist wished to
portray Francis' great love of nature, inanimate as well as animate.
It has been truthfully said: "St. Francis beheld the Creator in the beauty of created things, and by
contemplating them, he rose ever higher to the possession of uncreated love. Detached as he was from
all earthly things, he seemed to have gradually returned to the innocence of the first man and to
complete harmony with nature surrounding him. As he was full of love and affection for the least of
creatures, so did these also show him an affection which reminds us of paradise. It was as though a
new sense had been given him, and his heart beat with an intimate understanding of the heart-life of
the beasts and birds and all sensitive things. He felt no longer a stranger amongst them. And with this
new understanding there came to him a wonderful power over all the wild life. The most timid and
ferocious became fearless and tame at his side."
Numerous are the instances in his life in which he showed his love for creatures and his power over
them. Beasts of prey, at his word, ceased their depredations, sheep showed their joy when they saw
him, birds fluttered joyously at his approach, perched on his hands and arms, listened to him when he
spoke to them, and united with him in singing the praise of God. Remarkable is the story of his
encounter with the wolf of Gubbio, which is thus told by his biographers: "A savage wolf terrorized
the inhabitants of Gubbio. It kept itself in the environs, and no one dared to go out of the city alone,
even if he was armed. St. Francis went out to seek the wolf. In his marvelous way, he tamed the beast
and brought him into the city in meek and docile mood and had him fed; and from that time the wolf
became the pet of the city until he died."
Well known, too, is the Saint’s Canticle of Brother Sun which is "a song of the kinship of all God's
creatures and of God's Fatherhood of them all, and of the liberty which the heart of man finds in the
vision of this truth."
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

5. FR. JUNIPERO SERRA'S FIRST CONVERT.
A baptismal scene was desired in this window. Since however, it is not known that
St. Francis ever baptized anyone, and since all the windows were to be historical: it is
not St. Francis himself who appears here, but one of his sons that had fully imbibed his
apostolic spirit, Junipero Serra, the Apostle of California. Though not expressly a
missionary Order, the sons of St. Francis have always been conspicuous in missionary
fields. This is clear from the fact that already in the first half of the 14th century
Franciscan Missionaries traversed all Asia and founded numerous Christian
communities.
When, however. the holy founder wrote in his Rule the chapter for Missionaries
amongst the Infidels and sent out his first Brethren into foreign lands, he could not, even
in his boldest vision, foresee the prominent part his sons, Columbus, Juan Perez,
Hennepin, etc., would take one day in the discovery and exploration of the New World
and in the conversion of its aborigines. Fr. Junipero Serra with his Spanish Confreres
set foot on California soil in 1769. His first convert was the Chief of the Gualamo
Indians in the vicinity of San Diego. When the Fathers of the St. Louis Province
took charge of the California Missions, Father Clementine Deymann of Teutopolis
was one of the first ones to be sent there and was. made first superior in 1890.
On one of his earlier travels he met Fr. Junipero's "first convert" in the Poor House of
Salinas, Monterey Co., Cal. He took a photograph of the venerable Indian, wrote on
its back a sketch of his life, and sent the same to the museum of St. Josephs College,
Teutopolis, Ill. It is this first baptism of Fr. Junipero that appears in this window.
Below is a reproduction of the Chief's photo and Father Deymann's sketch. It reads as
follows:
Watsonville, Col., Aug. 3rd., 1886. A photograph of Gabriel Gualamo, Chief of the
Gualamo Indians. He was Father Junipero Serra's first convert and was baptized at
Salinas, Monterey Co., Calif., and is supposed to be between 112 and 142 years old.
Records prove him to be over 135. I saw him today in the above mentioned Poor
House. --Fr. Clementine Deymann, 0. F. M.
N. B.: Old Gabriel died in the Monterey Hospital, March t6th,
1890 at the reputed age of 151 years. (Records.)
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

6. FRANCIS PREACHES CHRIST BEFORE THE SULTAN
At the famous Chapter of Mats, 1219, the foreign Mission enterprise had been
formally initiated. Francis chose for himself what was considered the most hazardous
one, the mission to the Moslem. He selected Brother Illuminato as his companion. It
was the time of the fifth Crusade. The contending armies stood
in Egypt. By peculiar circumstances John of Brienne, brother of Walter of Brienne,
under whose guidance Francis had once contemplated to enter upon the military
career, commanded the Crusaders, Melek-el-Kamil the Turks. In the camp of the
Christians Francis learned that here, too, the purest ideal rubbed shoulder with the most
sordid and he soon grew disgusted with the shameless life of the Crusaders. He was a
true Knight and the Knighthood of the Cross meant for him more than a mere war cry.
"Once more setting at naught common prudence", Francis went over to the Sultan's
camp, in spite of the fact that the latter had offered a golden ducat for the head of any
Christian. Scarcely beyond the lines of the Christians, he and Brother Illuminato were
taken prisoners; their meekness, however, saved their lives. History reports several
audiences Francis and Brother Illuminato had with the Sultan. The window depicts
such an audience.
There is Francis boldly preaching Christ. Brother Illuminato meekly standing to his
left. The Sultan in gorgeous Turkish attire is sitting on his throne, listening pensively.
Mixed sentiments are expressed on the faces of the courtiers. "The Sultan was
deeply impressed by Francis and his message and wished to show his esteem by
valuable presents, as indicated by the treasures standing by the throne. But Francis
had not come for gold, he had come for souls. Failing in this, he asked permission to
return to the Christian camp. The Sultan, dismissing them, begged Francis not to cease
to pray for him and ordered his soldiers to conduct the Friars back with courtesy. A
legend tells us that the Sultan died a Christian, converted by a Franciscan." - Fr.
Cuthbert.
In the sacristy of the Convento Sagro, Assisi, there is preserved a Turkish horn which is
said to have been given to Francis by the Sultan, and which the Saint afterwards
used to call the people together when he was about to preach.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

7. FRANCIS OBTAINS THE PORTIUNCULA INDULGENCE
By granting to Francis the Portiuncula Indulgence in 1219, the Church changed her
traditional discipline as regards Indulgences. "Up to that time the church had accorded
no plenary Indulgences except on occasion of Crusades." And as to partial Indulgences,
"The Church was inclined to restrict them, nor was it customary to grant them without
the obligation of alms." Hence women and poor and sick people were deprived of this
singular privilege. Yet the heart of Francis went out to them, the favorites of Christ; for
their sake he, the rich merchant's son, had become poor 1 for their religious.. and
social uplift he worked and prayed incessantly.
This window shows how Francis one night, in his beloved chapel of Portiuncula,
pouring out his soul in prayer for the conversion of sinners, was favored with a
heavenly vision. Christ appeared to him in great splendor, accompanied by His
Blessed Mother and surrounded by Angels. Christ, pleased with the heroic piety of
Francis, told him, as God had told Solomon of old, when he was praying for his
people-- "Ask of Me whatever favor thou pleasest, it shall be granted to you." The
heart of Francis was full of but one subject, the conversion of sinners, that the
prodigal son, and his name is legions, might arise and go back to his Father and be
reconciled. Hence quick came the answer: "Grant, O Lord, that all who, contrite and
having confessed their sins, shall visit this church, may receive a Plenary Indulgence
and pardon of all their sins."Mary, the Mother of Good Hope, seconded the appeal. And
Christ answered: "I grant the Indulgence thou askest on condition that it be ratified
by My Vicar, to whom alone I have given power to bind and to loose."
Francis' heart flowed over with joy. At daybreak he set out with Brother Masseo for
Perugia to put his cause before Pope Honorious the Third. The petition was granted,
though it meant a radical change of ecclesiastical discipline. The 2nd of August was the
day fixed for the great general amnesty between God and man. For centuries
thousands of pilgrims visited annually the little chapel of Assisi on that date, to gain the
Portiuncula Indulgence. Later this privilege was extended to all Franciscan churches, at
present practically every parochial church enjoys the same.
In as much as the Portiuncula Indulgence implies a perfect reconciliation between God
and the sinner, the artist has with great propriety introduced in the background the
rainbow, the sign of the covenant of reconciliation between God and Noah after the
deluge.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

8. FRANCIS THE LOVER OF THE INFANT JESUS
Soon after his return from the Holy Land, Francis introduced his realistic way of
celebrating the Birth of Christ, and thus brought closer to the hearts of the faithful
the message of the Joy and Peace of the Babe of Bethlehem.
To understand better the endeavors of St. Francis, we must keep in mind that, as today,
so also at that time "Tyranny, discord, and vengeance reigned throughout Europe and
especially in Italy." Francis himself, at one time prisoner of war, had gotten a taste of
its bitterness, and nobody yearned more to see peace reestablished than he did. On his
sojourn in the East, Francis had, indeed, failed in his mission of peace to the warring
Sultan of Egypt, but this failure was more than compensated for by the inspiration he
drew from a visit to the Holy Places in Palestine. The mysteries of Bethlehem above
all had a charm for him. He conceived a new idea of the message of Joy and Peace,
so inseparably connected with the Birth of Christ; now more than ever he considered
himself the Herald of the Prince of Peace; and he was determined to get this message
before the people in a way as never before: he introduced his way of the Crib
Devotion.
His friend Giovanni of Greccio readily cooperated. On his estate near the city was a
grotto; he also furnished the ox, the ass, and the manger. Townsmen, peasants, and
shepherds were invited. Towards midnight Francis and his Brethren came to celebrate
Solemn Mass. The moment just before Mass is shown in this window. Francis is
kneeling in contemplation before the Crib. To his left is his friend Giovanni;
newcomers with torches are seen in the back ground, struggling through the woods.
"At Mass Francis was Deacon. After the Gospel he stood forth, all enthused, to preach
on the text: 'Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy etc.' The crowd felt as
though a hidden mystery was in very deed revealed to their eyes: so subtly did the
preacher convey to them his own emotions." "Thus he induced individuals, families,
cities, and districts to live again in peace and harmony." Even today, when long before
dawn on Christmas morning the solemn peals of our Church bells announce the
Birthday of Christ and carry the glad tidings along the highways and byways of life to
the remotest and humblest cottage by the wayside, it is the vision of the Crib of St.
Francis that draws countless multitudes to fill our houses of worship.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

9. FRANCIS INSTITUTES THE III ORDER
Here is a lasting monument of the loyalty and the exalted patriotism of the young men
of Teutopolis in the World War. It will perpetuate the memory of some trying days of
this community. The inscription speaks for itself. It reads: "In Memory of Sgt. Ferd.
Delker, Member of the III Order, Our World War Victim, Marcheville, France, Nov.
10th, 1918.
Ferd. Delker was enthusiastic in the service of his country. He had volunteered long
before the draft came. In one of his last letters he wrote: "I have no dread to go to
the front; I am prepared to sacrifice my life"; and so he did. Himself a sharpshooter, he
exposed himself boldly and was singled out by an enemy sharpshooter. He is the only
one of our 66 boys in service that fell in action. Also in the service of God young
Delker was in the advance. At the age of 18 he joined the ranks of the III Order of
St. Francis. It is the beginning of this institution that is represented in this window.
The example and the preaching of Francis and his Brethren stirred all Italy and great
numbers sought to join his ranks. Since he could not possibly sever the family ties of
the married people, he conceived the idea to establish, with the approbation of the
Pope, a Religious Order for the people in the world. The plan was executed in 1221,
in the Florentine territory. This window represents Francis receiving the first two
members--Lucius and his graceful consort Bona Donna. Lucius, like Francis, was
the scion of a rich commercial family. They had been friends in boyhood days.
The III Order spread rapidly. It meant not only a revival of religion, but also a social
regeneration. It was at the time when Frederick II endeavored to establish his sway
over Italy by sowing discord in that country. Peter de Vinneis, his chancellor, wrote
to his sovereign: "The III Order of Francis is frustrating our plans. Every man and
woman belongs to that Fraternity, and they refuse to fight for us." Of Florence it is
said: "In a short time through the influence of the III Order it assumed a new
aspect of peace and prosperity." Pope Leo XIII. recognized the inherent vitality of the
III Order for social regeneration. He modified its Rule and declared: "My program of
social reform is the III Order." The great International Congress of Rome in September
1921, and its gigantic National Convention in Chicago on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of
October of the same year, the 700th anniversary of its institution, show that the III
Order is yet very much alive and very much up-to-date in social reform work. "May
the III Order spread in every city and town and hamlet." Benedict XV.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

10. ST. FRANCIS RECEIVES THE STIGMATA
In view of the prevailing tendency of denying the supernatural interests of the soul, this
window is probably the most striking one, because it so strongly exhibits the influence
of the supernatural upon the natural. Two years before his death, in 1224, a
phenomenon was wrought upon the body of St. Francis, up to that time unknown in
the history of the Church: he received the Stigmata, the marks of the five wounds of
our Lord. Since that time others are known to have had them. Even today there lives in
San Giovanni, southern Italy, the saintly Capuchin Friar Padre Pio, who is thus
favored.
In this window the artist followed the description by Celano and the painting of Giotto.
In the foreground is St. Francis kneeling in prayer on a projecting ledge of Mt. Alverna.
In amazement he looks at the winged Seraph with the face of our Lord. In the
background is seen Brother Leo, the faithful companion of Francis, emerging from a
ravine.
Historians thus relate the mysterious occurrence; "Absorbed in prayer, Francis saw
descend a Seraph having six wings. In a moment of great agony the Seraph smote him,
as the Angel smote Jacob of old. The vision having disappeared, the marks of the
Crucifixion began to show themselves. The right side was marked with a red scar,
blood flowing from it. His hands and feet were pierced with fleshy nails. They were
formed of a mass of nerves that was loose, and could be moved in the wound. Their
round black heads showed within the palms of the hands and on the insteps of the feet.
Their long points, bent and, as it were, beaten with a hammer, protruded on the back of
the hands and under the soles of the feet." - (Le Monnier.)
The Stigmata of Francis were seen by many. Among them was Card. Conti, later Pope
Alexander IV. "He could never forget the sight" and called them "the seal of the High
Priest Jesus Christ impressed upon one of His servants."
Naturally the spot was sacred to Francis, as it has remained ever since to his Brethren.
Himself unable to perform the act on account of the wounds, Francis bade Bro. Pacifico
to consecrate the stone over which the Seraph had stood, even as Jacob had
consecrated the stone of his vision: washing it and anointing it with oil. Today it is seen
encased in a grille in the Chapel of the Stigmata, and twice a day the Friars of the
place proceed to the Chapel in solemn procession to venerate the sacred spot.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923

11. THE TRIUMPH OF ST. FRANCIS
The last window is a fit climax of the series. It glorifies the Immaculate Conception and
is called the "Triumph of St. Francis." The Immaculate Conception has ever been the
cherished patroness of the Three Orders of St. Francis, and the Franciscan theologians,
under the leadership of the famous Duns Scotus, always vindicated this privilege of their
august queen, until it was declared a dogma by Pope Pius IX on December 8th,
1854. Under the same title the Mother of God is also the patroness of the Catholic
Church in the United States, and just now her clients, to give an expression of their
devotion to her, are planning to erect a shrine in her honor in the national Capital, that
will be an ornament to our country and a credit to her friends.
There are three groups in the window. In the center is the Immaculate Conception
represented as the mysterious woman of the Apocalypse; "Clothed with the Sun, and the
moon under her feet; and on her head a crown of twelve stars." To her right is St.
Francis pointing with satisfaction to the great number of his followers, her clients;
to her left is St. Bonaventure, Cardinal, the Seraphic Doctor and compeer of St.
Thomas.
Above is a medallion of the Blessed Trinity. God the Father, on His head a crown and a
triangle, emblems of His majesty and the Trinity, holds in His left hand an open
book showing an alpha and an omega, the first and the last letters of the Greek
alphabet; because He is the beginning and the end of all creation. With His right hand
He blesses the Immaculate Conception, the masterpiece of His creation. On the Cross
is hanging her Son, the Redeemer, she being the first-fruit of Redemption. Between the
two appears the Holy Ghost in form of a dove; through His power the mystery of the
Incarnation was wrought in her.
In the center below is the Venerable Duns Scotus, the champion of the Immaculate
Conception. The other fourteen are a collection from all three Orders. They are: Upper
row: left to right: The one with the Blessed Sacrament, St, Clare, foundress of the
Poor Clares; St. Anthony, the wonder-worker of Padua; St. Bernardine, the herald of
the Holy Name; St. John Capistrano, preacher of the Crusade and hero of Belgrade; St.
Agnes of Prague, the wonderful princess of Bohemia. Second row: St. Colette, with
the canary; St. Agnes, sister of St. Clare; St. Peter of Alcantara, the great reformer of
Spain; the much beloved St. Elisabeth of Hungary; St. Roch, pilgrim and patron
against contagious diseases. Third row: St. Elisabeth of Portugal, heroic princess
of peace; St, Margaret, the penitent of Cortona; St. Louis, King of France, and St.
Louis, Bishop of Toulouse.
From a booklet by Fr. Theodosius Plassmeyer, OFM (Pastor), 1923