Welcome by the Leader: As LCWR prepares to gather for their
annual meeting, we also gather on this Feast of St. Clare in heartfelt support
of so many vowed religious who have faithfully followed God’s call on their
lives. They and Clare serve as models of
radical discipleship of Jesus, the Christ, the Light of our World. While we may differ in the unique summons
placed within each of us, we share a common Baptismal call to keep the Light of
Christ burning in our world.
Background: Born into a noble family in Assisi on July 16,
1194, Chiara (Clare) Offreduccio di Favarone
made a leap of faith that broke new ground for women of all time. Clare was named Chiara-
meaning Light- And she would come to shed her light over the entire
church. Profoundly inspired by Francis,
who became her mentor and spiritual partner, she abruptly left home at age 18
to follow his path of “holy poverty.” It
was Francis who led her into her first vows and urged her to become abbess of
the cloistered monastery at the Church of San Damiano, the church he had
rebuilt. So it was that for 40 years
she would lead the women who gathered around her- the Order of Poor Ladies -
into radical Franciscan vows of poverty, obedience, and simplicity of life,
always rooted in compassion. She was the
first woman to write the rules for her order, relying completely on donations
for the sustenance of her sisters. For forty years she resisted attempts by the
Vatican to impose a more traditional Benedictine rule that relied on dowries
and benefices. The traditional rule
would automatically create a class system of “choir sisters” (those who could
afford a dowry) and “lay sisters” (those who could not). Clare wanted all of
her sisters to rely completely on the providence of God in mutual love and
service to one another and to the Church.
Two days before her death, Pope Innocent IV finally granted Clare’s wish
and her rule was accepted. Canonization
followed two years later. Clare’s
profound commitment to the poor, crucified Jesus, and the healing power of her
prayer quickly became legendary. (Future Church)
Ritual of Commitment
Presider: It was most likely our parents who
first received the Light of Christ for us. They promised for us to keep that
Light shining in our world. Now it is
our turn to respond to our baptismal summons.
God works uniquely in each of us.
Clare was summoned to a life of “holy poverty” within a vowed
community. We may not share this call; but we do share a summons to radical discipleship in Christ. St. Clare now challenges us to listen deeply
for Christ’s claim on our hearts and
to respond from the depths of our very being, as she did. Please take a moment to form your response
and your commitment to Christ’s baptismal summons. Then after we share the baptismal light I will
invite everyone to follow my lead in naming that committed response, to the
best of our understanding at this time.
Sharing of the light: The greeters light their candles from
the large candle and begin passing the light.
During this time, the assembly sings “Christ, Be Our Light,” verse 5
& refrain.
Naming our commitment: As each person names
their baptismal commitment the assembly responds with arms outstretched in
blessing:
May Christ, Our Light, bless you.
Prayers of
the Faithful
Group 1: Clare’s love
for Christ impelled her to follow His footsteps boldly and to create a new
religious life style for women.
Group 2: Spirit of
God, help us to trust our experience of You and bring this light into all
corners of our Church and world.
Group 1: Clare ran
from home and security to live in Gospel freedom and radical trust.
Group 2: Provident
God, protect and guide those who flee situations which are a danger to body and
spirit.
Group 1: Clare was
inspired and empowered by Francis to live the Gospel and became a creative
co-worker, prophetic leader and spiritual friend interdependently with him.
Group 2: Beloved God, inspire Pope Francis to inaugurate a newly
collaborative, respectful relationship with women religious in the Church, just
as St. Francis did with St. Clare.
Group 1: Clare lived
in a society shaped by violence, domination, and exclusion. In the
compassionate Christ she found that we are all God’s beloved children.
Group 2: Compassionate
God, we are all precious in your sight.
Disarm hearts barricaded by bigotry and fear of those who are different.
Group 1: Having
learned all things at the feet of the poor and humble Christ, Clare wrote
letters of profound spiritual guidance to Agnes of Prague and other women
founders.
Group 2: In thanksgiving for many wise spiritual companions among women religious,
we pray, O God, that you will continue to pour out on your Church the gifts of
faith-sharing, spiritual companionship, inspired preaching and sound teaching. Further, we pray that you will inspire Church
leaders to extend preaching to gifted women, so that all may hear the Good News
through the lens of female experience.
Group 1: For
forty-two years Clare resisted attempts by over solicitous Church leaders to
dissuade her and “the Poor Ladies” from following Christ in “the privilege of
living without privilege”.
Group 2: Loving God,
we entrust to Your compassion those whose service of the Gospel has resulted in
disapproval by Church authorities.
Enlighten the hearts and minds of all concerned for the greater good of
Your People.
