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In the epilogue to the ancient LIFE OF ST. CLARE, one of the most
endearing miracles in Franciscan history is related. A blind man had a
vision in which he heard a beautiful lady saying to him:
"Why do
you not come to me to be cured?"
Upon learning that this
lady was Blessed Clare of Assisi, sightless Giacobello set out to visit
her tomb, there to receive what he had so long desired,
-- his vision.
Down
the centuries, the gracious and gentle St. Clare has continued to ask
the afflicted ones of the world:
"Why do you not come to
me?"
No stranger to suffering, - she bore the cross of
illness for more than twenty-eight years, - this first spiritual
daughter of St. Francis still desires to help those who suffer to share
as deeply and as fruitfully as she did in the mystery of redemptive
love.
A
women of unbounded faith and hope, she teaches the secret of finding
peace amid suffering: union with Christ Crucified.
"If you suffer
with Him,"
she wrote,
"you will reign with Him."
Pope
John Paul II once remarked that "there was no concern,
suffering, anguish or discouragement of others which did not find an
echo in the hearts"
of St. Clare and her spiritual progeny.
This is the great work which we as Poor Clare Nuns are privileged
to continue even today, gathering into the heart of our enclosed life of
prayer all the needs and hurts of the world.
We invite you to join us in enlisting St. Clare’s intercession
for the sick and suffering of our time, especially those who are
afflicted with cancer and other terminal illnesses.
Let
us come with confidence to our Mother St. Clare who, as a true
"consoler of the afflicted," wishes to extend to all suffering
people the comfort and compassion of Christ Himself. May her powerful
prayers obtain for them the grace to recognize the value of their
sufferings when united with the saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ and
offered for the spiritual healing of the world.
And may they, like St. Clare,
find in Christ Crucified and Risen, the source of peace and
eternal salvation.
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PRAYER:
O God,
you who filled the heart of St. Clare
with love for the mysteries
of the Cross
and caused her to rejoice to share
in the sufferings of Christ,
grant that through
her example and prayers
all who suffer
in mind, heart or body
may find serenity in their suffering,
faith in time of trial,
hope in Your healing mercy
and be given a share
in the everlasting light and love
of Your heavenly kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
With ecclesiastical
approval
Most Rev. James P. Keleher
December 11, 1991 Icon
of our Mother St. Clare
Sanctuary of San Damiano-Assisi (Italy) HOME
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