August 11th - St. Clare
- From: "Traudel" <hildegard8@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2007 09:34:47 -0500
August 11th - St. Clare
(1194-1253)
One of the more sugary movies made about Francis of Assisi pictures Clare as
a golden-haired beauty floating through sun-drenched fields, a sort of
one-girl counterpart to the new Franciscan Order. The beginning of her
religious life was indeed movie material. Having refused to marry at 15, she
was moved by the dynamic preaching of Francis. He became her lifelong friend
and spiritual guide.
At 18, she escaped one night from her father's home, was met on the road by
friars carrying torches, and in the poor little chapel called the
Portiuncula received a rough woolen habit, exchanged her jeweled belt for a
common rope with knots in it and sacrificed the long tresses to Francis'
scissors. He placed her in a Benedictine convent which her father and uncles
immediately stormed in rage. Clare clung to the altar of the church, threw
aside her veil to show her cropped hair and remained adamant.
End of movie material. Sixteen days later her sister Agnes joined her.
Others came. They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity and
complete seclusion from the world, according to a rule Francis gave them as
a Second Order (Poor Clares). At 21, Francis obliged her under obedience to
accept the office of abbess in which she continued until her death.
The nuns went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost
complete silence. (Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her sisters to
moderate this rigor: "Our bodies are not made of brass.") The greatest
emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even
in common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to
persuade her to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic
firmness: "I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be
absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ."
Contemporary accounts glow with admiration of her life in the convent of San
Damiano in Assisi. She served the sick, waited on table, washed the feet of
the begging nuns. She came from prayer, it was said, with her face so
shining it dazzled those about her. She suffered serious illness for the
last 27 years of her life. Her influence was such that popes, cardinals and
bishops often came to consult her-she herself never left the walls of San
Damiano.
Francis always remained her great friend and inspiration. She was always
obedient to his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was
making real.
A well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. She had the Blessed
Sacrament placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by
invading Saracens. "Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of
these beasts the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I
beseech you, dear Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect." To
her sisters she said, "Don't be afraid. Trust in Jesus." The Saracens fled.
Comment:
The 41 years of Clare's religious life are poor movie material, but they are
a scenario of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal
gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present
pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent
life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.
Saint Quote:
On her deathbed, Clare was heard to say to herself:Go forth in peace, for
you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created
you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother.
Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
-Saint Clare of Assisi
Bible Quote:
"In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my
refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart
before him: God is a refuge for us." (Psa 62:7-8)
<><><><>
CONSECRATING THE LAST TWO HOURS
OF OUR LIFE TO THE MOST HOLY VIRGIN
by the late Rev. Fr. Ildefonso M. Izaguirre, O. P.
Prostrated at the feet, and humiliated by my sins, but full of
confidence in thee, O Mary! I beg thee to accept the petition
my heart is about to make. It is for my last moments. Dear
Mother I wish to request thy protection and maternal love so
that in the decisive instant that thou wilt do all thy love can
suggest in my behalf.
To thee, O Mother of my soul, I consecrate THE LAST TWO
HOURS of my life. Come to my side to receive my last
breath and when death has cut the thread of my days, tell
Jesus, presenting to Him my soul, "I LOVE IT". That word
alone will be enough to procure for me the benediction of my
God and the happiness of seeing thee for all eternity.
I put my trust in thee, my Mother and hope it will not be in vain.
O Mary! Pray for thy child and lead him to Jesus!
Amen.
"Abandoning the Mother is but one step
from abandoning the Son"
.
- Prev by Date: Re: Praying the rosary
- Next by Date: August 11th - St. Philomena
- Previous by thread: Praying the rosary
- Next by thread: August 11th - St. Philomena
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
