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Traditional Catholic Faith => The Sacred: Catholic Liturgy, Chant, Prayers => Topic started by: poche on August 11, 2013, 03:35:09 AM

Title: St Clare
Post by: poche on August 11, 2013, 03:35:09 AM

Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not.

Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters.

"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=215

Title: St Clare
Post by: TCat on August 11, 2013, 08:05:23 AM

Quote from: poche

So great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?"

"If you can discover a better way of life than office holding for your future rulers, a well governed city becomes a possibility, for then shall those rule who are truly rich, not in gold, but in the wealth that makes happiness, a good and wise life" - Plato

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 06:46:19 PM

Prayer composed by S. Clare in honor of the Five Wounds of Our Lord and recited by her each day with much fervor and devotion.


This exquisite seven-century-old devotion, broadly speaking a litany, was composed and was daily recited by the Seraphic Mother St. Clare of Assisi, foundress of the Second Order of St. Francis, the Poor Ladies or Clares. St. Clare's devotion of the Five Wounds, as reproduced here, is from an appendix in The Princess of Poverty, by Father Marianus Fiege, O.M.Cap., published 1900 with imprimatur of the Capuchin Provincial of England, second edition 1909 with imprimatur of Bishop Chatard of Indianapolis, by the Poor Clares of Evansville, Indiana. The version given in Fr. Lasance's Prayer-Book for Religious, pp. 696-9, is substantially the same but there are verbal variations not consonant with the Poor Clares' own docuмent. The litany is approved by the Holy See for private devotion, and in 1885 was enriched by Pope Leo XIII with an indulgence of 300 days, once a day.


Praise and honor be given Thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ, by reason of the Sacred Wound in Thy Right Hand. By this adorable wound, I beseech Thee to pardon me all the sins I have committed by thoughts, words and deeds, by neglect in Thy service, and by self-indulgence, both waking and sleeping. Grant me the grace that, by a devout and frequent remembrance of Thy Holy Passion, I may honor Thy sacred wounds and the death which Thou didst endure for love of me; and that, by chastising my body, I may testify my gratitude for Thy sufferings and Thy death: Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen.

Our Father (silently). Hail, Mary (silently).

Praise and honor be given Thee, O most amiable Jesus, by reason of the Sacred Wound in Thy Left Hand. By this holy wound, I beseech Thee to have pity on me and to change within me whatever is displeasing to Thee. Grant me to be victorious over Thine enemies, so that, by the power of Thy grace, I may overcome them; and do Thou, by Thy holy and adorable death, deliver me from all dangers, present and to come, and make me worthy to share in the glory of Thy Blessed Kingdom: Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen.

Our Father (silently). Hail, Mary (silently).

Praise and honor be given Thee, O sweetest Jesus, by reason of the Sacred Wound in Thy Right Foot. By this holy and adorable wound, I beseech Thee to enable me to bring forth worthy fruits of penance for my sins. I humbly entreat Thee, for the sake of Thine adorable death, to keep me, day and night, in Thy holy will, to preserve me from all adversity of soul and body, and, on the dreadful day of judgment, to deal with me according to Thy mercy, that I may obtain eternal joys: Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen.

Our Father (silently). Hail, Mary (silently).

Praise and honor be given Thee, O sweet and merciful Jesus, by reason of the Sacred Wound in Thy Left Foot. By this adorable wound, I beseech Thee to grant me pardon and full remission of all my sins, so that, with Thine aid, I may escape the rigors of justice. I entreat Thee, O good and merciful Jesus, for the sake of Thy Holy Death, to grant that at the hour of my death, I may have the grace to confess my sins with a perfect contrition, to receive the adorable Sacrament of Thy Body and Thy Blood, and likewise, the holy Sacrament of Extreme Unction for my eternal salvation: Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen.

Our Father (silently). Hail, Mary (silently).

Praise and honor be given Thee, O good and sweetest Jesus, by reason of the Wound in Thy Sacred Side. By this adorable wound and by that immense mercy shown Longinus and to us all, in allowing Thy Sacred Side to be opened, I beseech Thee, O good Jesus, that as in Baptism Thou didst purify me from original sin, so now Thou wouldst be pleased, by the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood, Which is offered up this day over the whole world, to deliver me from all evils, past, present, and to come. I entreat Thee, by Thy bitter death, to give me a lively faith, a firm hope, and perfect charity, so that I may love Thee with my whole heart, with my whole soul, and with all my strength. Uphold me by Thy grace in the practice of good works, so that I may persevere to the end in Thy holy service and glorify Thee in time and eternity.  Amen.

Our Father (silently). Hail, Mary (silently).

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee. R. Because, by Thy death and Thy precious blood, Thou hast redeemed the world.

Let us pray:

O Almighty and Eternal God, Who hast ransomed the human race by the five wounds of Thy Son, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: we beseech Thee, by the merits of His precious blood, to grant unto us, who, each day, venerate these same adorable wounds, to be delivered from a sudden and unprovided death: Through the same Jesus Christ Thy Son, Our Lord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.  Amen.

Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944  
   

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 06:49:26 PM

Happy Feast Day!  

Saint Clare, August 12


(http://schoolnet.gov.mt/stclarescollegegss/Images/st%20clare%20assisi.gif)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 06:54:54 PM

(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREZvZo6rWciAESVEbxhfat6NQB_XxRuou1wiJJGEp0Ji2Q896t)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 06:58:16 PM

Quote from: poche

Her feast day is August 11.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=215

Nice post, poche; but her feast day is on August 12th.  That is, if you attend a Traditional Mass.   :pray:

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 07:08:26 PM

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Giotto_di_Bondone_-_Legend_of_St_Francis_-_23._St._Francis_Mourned_by_St._Clare_-_WGA09151.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 07:12:58 PM

(http://www.prayerflowers.com/images/stclareassisi.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 07:18:18 PM

(http://www.discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/8308-st-clare-with-the-scene-of-the-sieg-giuseppe-cesari.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 07:20:21 PM

http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j190sd_StClare_8-12.shtml

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 07:25:57 PM

http://www.franciscanfriarstor.com/archive/stfrancis/St_Clare_of_Assisi/stf_st_clare_of_assisi_writings.htm

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 07:34:52 PM

(http://poorclaresjoliet.org/uploads/images/saint-clare-holding-infant.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 08:05:02 PM

Hymn for Matins

In joyful chorus let the faithful
Resound this virgin's song of praise,
Who gladly followed Christ's own Mother,
Renewed in virtue, zeal and grace.

The first-born of the poorest Ladies,
But rich in heaven's kind regard,
She gains for self in fullest measure
A faithful life's assured reward.

A sparkling star amid the heavens,
She now reflects a brilliant light,
For Christ, the Light, the Sun eternal,
Bathes blessed Clare in splendor bright.

By poverty and strict observance
Of blessed Francis' rule of life,
Portraying Christ, the gentle master,
She calmed this world of greed and strife.

She spurns the flesh and worldly pleasures,
She puts herself in Mary's care;
In abject poverty she follows
Her Christ, so poor beyond compare.

To God the Father endless glory,
And praise to his Incarnate Son,
And homage to the Holy Spirit,
Through whom this virgin heaven won.

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 08:24:22 PM

http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Clare%20popup.html



Litany of the Glorious Mother Saint Clare

 Lord, have mercy on us.
 Christ, have mercy on us.
 Lord, have mercy on us.
 Christ hear us.
 Christ, graciously hear us.
 God, the Father of Heaven,
 Have mercy on us.
 God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
 Have mercy on us.
 God, the Holy Ghost,
 Have mercy on us.
 Holy Trinity, one God,
 Have mercy on us.


 Holy Mary,
Pray for us. *

 Holy Mother Clare, *
 Holy Mother Clare, renowned in deed and in name, *
 Holy Mother Clare, brighter than the light, *
 Holy Mother Clare, great in merits, *
 Holy Mother Clare, free from the stain of sin, *
 Holy Mother Clare, bright light illumining the world, *
 Holy Mother Clare, new luminary, *
 Holy Mother Clare, star of the heavens, *
 Holy Mother Clare, renowned Virgin, *
 Holy Mother Clare, saintly Virgin, *
 Holy Mother Clare, prudent Virgin, *
 Holy Mother Clare, shining splendor of Heaven, *
 Holy Mother Clare, friend of the Cross, *
 Holy Mother Clare, mourning dove, *
 Holy Mother Clare, spouse of God, *
 Holy Mother Clare, disciple of Christ, *
 Holy Mother Clare, city of the Saviour, *
 Holy Mother Clare, vessel of purity, *
 Holy Mother Clare, pattern of obedience, *
 Holy Mother Clare, model of patience, *
 Holy Mother Clare, marvel of abstinence, *
 Holy Mother Clare, prodigy of sanctity, *
 Holy Mother Clare, mother of poverty, *
 Holy Mother Clare, flower of virginity, *
 Holy Mother Clare, palm of fecundity, *
 Holy Mother Clare, fountain of charity, *
 Holy Mother Clare, endowed with every virtue, *
 Holy Mother Clare, guardian of consecrated virgins, *
 Holy Mother Clare, plant of the Minors, *
 Holy Mother Clare, sweetest mistress, *
 Holy Mother Clare, despising vanities, *
 Holy Mother Clare, triumphing over the demons, *
 Holy Mother Clare, most devoted to the Blessed Sacrament, *
 Holy Mother Clare, emulating our Holy Father Saint Francis, *
 Holy Mother Clare, craving the food of the word of God, *



 Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
 Spare us, O Lord!
 Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
 Graciously, hear us, O Lord!
 Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world:
 Have mercy on us, O Lord!

 Christ hear us.
 Christ, graciously hear us.
 Pray for us, O Blessed Mother Clare!
 That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


 Let us pray:

We beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy servants who are renewing the votive commemoration of Thy holy Virgin, our Mother Clare, may by her intercession become partakers of the heavenly joys and co-heirs of Thine only-begotten Son. Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

O God, Who wast pleased that our holy Mother Saint Clare by the splendor of her virtues should become a guiding light to innumerable virgins: grant through her intercession and merits that those virgins may always walk in this light here on earth, and may be found worthy to enjoy the perpetual serenity of Thy face in heaven. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.






 

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 08:30:45 PM

St. Clare and the Saracens

Elaine M. Jordan


This Eucharistic miracle was written by a Franciscan friar who lived at the time of St. Francis, Tommaso da Celano (1200-1255). It describes how St. Clare of Assisi succeeded, with the Blessed Sacrament, in turning away Saracen troops that were surrounding the city.
 Regiments of Saracen soldiers and bowmen were stationed there (in the Convent of San Damiano in Assisi, Italy), massed like bees, ready to devastate the encampments and seize the cities. Once, during an enemy attack against Assisi, a city beloved of the Lord, and while the army was approaching the gates, the fierce Saracens invaded San Damiano, entered the confines of the convent and even the very cloister of the virgins. The women were in terror, their voices trembling with fear as they called out to their Mother, St. Clare.


Miracle of St. Clare

St. Clare puts the Saracens to flight

 With a fearless heart, St. Clare commanded them to lead her, sick as she was, to the enemy, preceded by a silver and ivory case in which the Body of the Saint of Saints was kept with great devotion. And prostrating herself before the Lord, she spoke plaintively to her Christ: "Behold, my Lord, is it possible that Thou wouldst deliver into the hands of pagans Thy defenseless slaves, whom I have taught out of love for Thee? I pray Thee, Lord, protect these Thy slaves whom I cannot now save by myself."

 Suddenly a voice resounded in her ears from the tabernacle: "I will always protect you!"

 "My Lord," she added, "if it is Thy wish, protect also this city which is sustained by Thy love.’

Christ replied, "It will have to undergo many trials, but it will be defended by My protection."

 Then the virgin, raising a face bathed in tears, comforted the sisters: "I assure you, daughters, that you will suffer no evil; only have faith in Christ."

 Upon seeing the courage of the sisters, the Saracens took flight and fled back over the walls they had scaled, unnerved by the strength of the sister whom they saw praying. And Clare immediately warned those who heard the voice I spoke of above, ordering them sternly: "Take care not to tell anyone about that voice while I am still alive, dearest daughters."


Selected from Tommaso da Celano,
The History of Saint Clare, Virgin,  Internet
Posted November 6, 2010




 

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 08:33:19 PM

http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Flowers-Saint-Clare/dp/8827000631

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 08:51:02 PM

Bull of Canonization of Saint Clare

http://www.franciscanfriarstor.com/archive/stfrancis/St_Clare_of_Assisi/stf_st_clare_of_assisi_canonization.htm

Title: St Clare
Post by: Hobbledehoy on August 11, 2013, 09:03:47 PM

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Images/Virgines2_zps19ce113e.jpg)

From Kyrie Eleison: Two Hundred Litanies with Historico-Liturgical Introduction and Notes by Rev. Fr. Benjamin Francis Musser, O.F.M. (Westminster, MD: The Newman Bookshop, 1944):

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Texts/LitanyofStClare1_zps5236d408.jpg)

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Texts/LitanyofStClare2_zps8d319af3.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: Hobbledehoy on August 11, 2013, 09:06:07 PM

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Images/Cross_zps5e6eb8cb.jpg)

From Kyrie Eleison: Two Hundred Litanies with Historico-Liturgical Introduction and Notes by Rev. Fr. Benjamin Francis Musser, O.F.M. (Westminster, MD: The Newman Bookshop, 1944):

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Texts/StClaresLitanyofHolyWounds1_zpsddb2d824.jpg)

(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d89/platonic123/Texts/StClaresLitanyofHolyWounds2_zps6d22b75a.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 09:10:55 PM

HERE BEGINNETH THE LIFE OF THE HOLY VIRGIN ST. CLARE

http://www.aug.edu/augusta/iconography/goldenLegend/clare.htm


The Golden Legend or Lives Of The Saints
Compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, 1275
Englished by William Caxton, First Edition 1483
From the Temple Classics Edited by F.S. Ellis

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 09:13:47 PM

So happy to have you back, Hobbledehoy.  This sub-forum gets lonely without you.   :pray:

Title: St Clare
Post by: Sigismund on August 11, 2013, 09:43:40 PM

A feast particularly beloved by those of us who are Secular Franciscans.  

St. Clare, mother of the Seraphic Order, pray for us.

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 09:54:26 PM

Quote from: Sigismund

A feast particularly beloved by those of us who are Secular Franciscans.  

St. Clare, mother of the Seraphic Order, pray for us.

Very true!  I have to go through my profession again, though, as I did it before entering Tradition.  We have Saint Louis, King of France, coming up on the 25th--another patron.

Title: St Clare
Post by: poche on August 11, 2013, 10:52:02 PM

Quote from: magdalena

Quote from: poche

Her feast day is August 11.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=215

Nice post, poche; but her feast day is on August 12th.  That is, if you attend a Traditional Mass.   :pray:

So we get to celebrate her holiness for two days.
 :dancing-banana: :dancing-banana: :dancing-banana:

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 11, 2013, 11:24:56 PM

Dear Poche,
Do you not have a Traditional Mass available to you?  There are plenty of websites available on-line to educate you.  It may be a good idea to pick up a Church calendar, at least.  
In Christ,
magdalena


P.S.  I celebrate my favorite saints with octaves!   :pray:

Title: St Clare
Post by: poche on August 12, 2013, 12:33:26 AM

Quote from: magdalena

Dear Poche,
Do you not have a Traditional Mass available to you?  There are plenty of websites available on-line to educate you.  It may be a good idea to pick up a Church calendar, at least.  
In Christ,
magdalena


P.S.  I celebrate my favorite saints with octaves!   :pray:

I am sometimes able to go to the Traditional mass. I go when I can.

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 12, 2013, 10:36:49 AM

Hymn for Lauds

O virgin Clare,  enrapt in splendor,
You daughter of eternal light,
Today we mark your solemn passing
From earth to heaven's starry height.

By spurning earthly joys so fleeting
You follow Christ, the Lamb of God;
You feed with him among the lilies
That stud the cloister's fertile sod.

You guard with care the holy virgins;
To every virtue show the way;
You lead your group of saintly maidens
To Christ their Spouse in bridal array.

Beneath the humble Francis' banner
In three-fold strife for Christ unfurled,
You bravely march, a constant victor
O'er devil, flesh, and wicked world.

And now amid the starry heavens,
Enthroned in bliss with God on high,
Do grant that we who strive to follow
May on your guidance e'er rely.

To Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Be honor, glory, endless praise;
And may Saint Clare's incessant pleading
Obtain for us God's saving grace.

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 12, 2013, 11:28:03 AM

(http://www.saintcofa.com/st_clare/st_clare_images/st_clare.jpg)

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity!
 Place your soul in the brilliance of glory!
 Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance!
 And transform your whole being into the image of the
 Godhead Itself
 through contemplation!
 So that you too may feel what His friends feel
 as they taste the hidden sweetness
 which God Himself has reserved
 from the beginning
 for those who love Him.
 ~ Saint Clare of Assisi

Source:  Third Letter of St Clare to Blessed Agnes

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 12, 2013, 12:06:52 PM

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/San-Damiano-exterior.jpg/240px-San-Damiano-exterior.jpg)

San Damiano, Assisi

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 12, 2013, 12:13:12 PM

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/SDamiano-Clara_og_s%C3%B8stre.jpg/240px-SDamiano-Clara_og_s%C3%B8stre.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: Incredulous on August 12, 2013, 04:47:20 PM

(http://www.sj.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/20130319-144545.jpg)

Title: St Clare
Post by: Sigismund on August 12, 2013, 08:34:46 PM

Quote from: magdalena

Quote from: Sigismund

A feast particularly beloved by those of us who are Secular Franciscans.  

St. Clare, mother of the Seraphic Order, pray for us.

Very true!  I have to go through my profession again, though, as I did it before entering Tradition.  We have Saint Louis, King of France, coming up on the 25th--another patron.

I am delighted to find a fellow Franciscan Tertiary here!

Pax et Bounu!

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 12, 2013, 10:25:59 PM

from: The Little Flowers of Saint Francis


 CHAPTER XV


 HOW ST CLARE ATE WITH ST FRANCIS AND HIS
 COMPANIONS AT ST MARY OF THE ANGELS

 St Francis, when residing at Assisi, often visited St Clare, to give her holy counsel. And she, having a great desire to eat once with him, often begged him to grant her this request; but the saint would never allow her this consolation. His companions, therefore, being aware of the refusal of St Francis, and knowing how great was the wish of Sister Clare to eat with him, went to seek him, and thus addressed him: "Father, it seems to us that this severity on thy part in not granting so small a thing to Sister Clare, a virgin so holy and so dear to God, who merely asks for once to eat with thee, is not according to holy charity, especially if we consider how it was at thy preaching that she abandoned the riches and pomps of this words. Of a truth, if she were to ask of thee even a greater grace than this, thou shouldst grant it to thy spiritual daughter." St Francis answered: "It seems to you, then, that I ought to grant her this request?" His companions made answer: "Yea, father, it is meet that thou grant her this favour and this consolation." St Francis answered: "As you think so, let it be so, then; but, in order that she may be the more consoled, I will that the meal do take place in front of St Mary of the Angels, because, having been for so long time shut up in San Damiano, it will do her good to see the church of St Mary, wherein she took the veil, and was made a spouse of Christ. There, then, we will eat together in the name of God." When the appointed day arrived, St Clare left her convent with great joy, taking with her one of her sisters, and followed by the companions of St Francis. She arrived at St Mary of the Angels, and having devoutly saluted the Virgin Mary, before whose altar her hair had been cut off, and she had received the veil, they conducted her to the convent, and showed her all over it. In the meantime St Francis prepared the meal on the bare ground, as was his custom. The hour of dinner being arrived, St Francis and St Clare, with one of the brethren of St Francis and the sister who had accompanied the saint, sat down together, all the other companions of St Francis seated humbly round them. When the first dish was served, St Francis began to speak of God so sweetly, so sublimely, and in a manner so wonderful, that the grace of God visited them abundantly, and all were rapt in Christ. Whilst they were thus rapt, with eyes and hearts raised to heaven, the people of Assisi and of Bettona, and all the country round about, saw St Mary of the Angels as it were on fire, with the convent and the woods adjoining. It seemed to them as if the church, the convent, and the woods were all enveloped in flames; and the inhabitants of Assisi hastened with great speed to put out the fire. On arriving at the convent, they found no fire; and entering within the gates they saw St Francis, St Clare, with all their companions, sitting round their humble meal, absorbed in contemplation; then knew they of a certainty, that what they had seen was a celestial fire, not a material one, which God miraculously had sent to bear witness to the divine flame of love which consumed the souls of those holy brethren and nuns; and they returned home with great consolation in their hearts, and much holy edification. After a long lapse of time, St Francis, St Clare, and their companions came back to themselves; and, being fully restored by the spiritual food, cared not to eat that which had been prepared for them; so that, the holy meal being finished, St Clare, well accompanied, returned to San Damiano, where the sisters received her with great joy, as they had feared that St Francis might have sent her to rule some other convent, as he had already sent St Agnes, the sister of the saint, to be Abbess of the Convent of Monticelli, at Florence. For St Francis had often said to St Clare, "Be ready, in case I send thee to some other convent"; and she, like a daughter of holy obedience, had answered, "Father, I am always ready to go whithersoever thou shalt send me." For which reason the sisters greatly rejoiced when she returned to them, and St Clare was from that time much consoled.

Title: St Clare
Post by: magdalena on August 12, 2013, 10:27:43 PM

(http://www.theworkofgod.org/Saints/Clareinc.jpg)