St Clare

"When the Blessed Father (Francis) saw that we had no fear of poverty, hard work, trial, shame, or contempt from the world, but instread we held them in great delight, he created a form of life for us." - Rule of St Clare.

Leaving home at the age of 18, Chiara Offreduccio of Assisi (1193-1253), under the influence and guidance of St Francis of Assisi, began a community that grew to become the Order of Poor Clares. She has usually been overshadowed by her counterpart and mentor in the public imagination. But she has finally begun to emerge as her own person, with her own unique identity, writings, and message. She was not just Francis's feminine counterpart, but also had her own strength, message, and identity. Breaking all records, the formal process for her canonization began only two months after she died.

Clare lived for 40 years in one little spot of earth, outside the walls of Assisi, called San Damiano. She was a master and mistress of letting go of all that was unnecessary or unimportant. (If you have watched Franco Zeffirelli's film "Brother Sun, Sister Moon," you will not forget the scene of Francis cutting Clare's flowing, beautiful, golden hair symbolising utter "letting go" of everything.) She went inside instead of outside, and subsequently discovered the outside to be perfect mirror for the grace she had already found within—and vice versa. Many Franciscans themselves often felt that Francis was a bit of a fanatic in regard to poverty, whereas Clare just quietly lived it. Clare and her sisters created a way for the radical life of Francis to be actually lived with freedom and joy. The common name for them, "Poor Clares," emerged in the vernacular of many languages and reveals the social statement they were seen to be making. Clare absolutely insisted on the privilege of not being obliged to receive privileges, the right to live without any rights, the guarantee of living without guarantees. The sisters of the order were to be sustained by alms and nothing else. (Isn't this crazy?)

St Clare exemplifies Jesus' statement in today's gospel: "If your faith were the size of a mustard seed, the mountain would move." May we imitate Clare's deep faith and belonging to the Lord in this world which insists on material wealth. She shows us that we need spiritual wealth more than luxuries and comfort.