Preparing to Celebrate Saint Clare of Assisi

[We invite you to join us as we begin the Novena of St. Clare on Aug. 2nd and to join us, as well, on Aug. 10th and 11th as we celebrate her Solemnity.  Scroll down for details]

Lately I have been considering how Our Holy Mother Clare responded when Saracens threatened to invade the city of Assisi and were even scaling the walls of the convent.  She was ill and in bed when her Sisters informed her of the imminent danger.  The Saint prostrated herself before her Divine Bridegroom in the Blessed Sacrament.  Surely, in that moment, Clare must have keenly experienced her own powerlessness in the face of this evil, the weight of her sickness, and her utter dependence upon Our Lord.  Allowing her body to imitate her inner dispositions,  she prostrated herself on the ground before the Blessed Sacrament and prayed: “I beseech You, Lord, protect these Your handmaids whom I cannot now save  by myself.”

She heard the voice of a small Child speak to her: “I will always protect you.”  The fact that Our Lord chose to speak to Clare with the voice of a Child has always deeply touched my heart.  I often wonder if He did so as to imitate Clare’s own experience of weakness, helplessness, and dependence.  We all know or can guess how the story ends: the army fled in fear from the convent and from the city of Assisi.  May Jesus Christ, Truly Present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised and adored!

As we travel through 2020, more than ever, we need the intercession and example of St. Clare.  In her response to  danger, weakness, fear, and helplessness, we find an example to follow:  faith, trust, prayer, humility, and dependence upon the power of God.  As we begin the novena and prepare for her Feast Day, let us ask St. Clare to guide us and intercede for us as we find our way through this challenging time.

Please join your prayers to ours as we begin the Novena to St. Clare on August 2nd.  Click here to download a copy of the Novena.  Also feel free to send us your petitions for the novena if you would like, using the form below. 

Also, we invite you to join us as we celebrate St. Clare of Assisi:

• • Monday, August 10th* @ 5 p.m. for the Transitus of St. Clare of Assisi with First Vespers and Blessing with 1st Class Relic of St. Clare of Assisi (please note: you are invited to join the Nuns for  Eucharistic Adoration before the Transitus from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.)
    
  • Tuesday, August 11th* @ 8 a.m. for Holy Mass for the Solemnity of St. Clare of Assisi.
    
    *Contact us if you need driving directions to the monastery.  Also, in accord with guidelines, we ask that you kindly wear a mask when inside the Chapel.