When Clare was 18 years old, she secretly left her home with her cousin Pacifica and never returned home again. In the middle of the night, Clare met Francis and his friars at the Portiuncula, the little chapel of ‘Mary of the Angels’. Francis cut her long blond hair and Clare left her fine clothes behind. She wore a simple dress of sackcloth and a thick veil. She vowed to give herself to God who would be her Spouse forever.
Francis built a cloister for her. When other women joined her, they became known as the Order of Poor Ladies, and later known as the Poor Clares. The Poor Ladies lived in a cloister, apart from the world, and supported Francis and his followers through their hidden life of prayer and sacrifice.
Clare loved to pray before the Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, her dearest Love. She received Jesus in the Eucharist as often as she was permitted. Once after she had received Holy Communion, the Child Jesus came to visit her. He lay in her arms and covered her with kisses.
Our Lord was close to Clare and her Sisters all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi, Their plan was to raid the convent first. Although she was very ill, she asked to be brought to where the enemies could see the Blessed Sacrament, which was placed in the window. She knelt down, prayed and begged God to save the Sisters, "O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now." She heard a voice: "I will keep them always in My care." At that same moment, the attackers were suddenly frightened and they fled as fast as they could. This became known as the Miracle of the Blessed Sacrament.
In speaking of Eucharistic Adoration, Saint Clare said:
"Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him."
Saint John Paul II speaking of Saint Clare:
"Her whole life was a Eucharist because from her cloister she raised up a continual thanksgiving to God in her prayer, praise, supplication, intercession, weeping, offering and sacrifice. She accepted everything from the Father in union with His only begotten Son."
I have a very special love for Saint Clare, her profound devotion of the Eucharist and her life of contemplative prayer. I especially love the story of how she held up the Blessed Sacrament when Assisi was about to be attacked and the attackers fled in fright. In 2014, I had the great blessing of visiting Assisi and I remember being so moved by the statue of Saint Clare holding up the Blessed Sacrament.
In the Eucharist, Jesus heals, protects and performs miracles. Whenever you have an opportunity to go to Eucharistic Adoration, go and sit in the Presence of the Lord. He is waiting for you. Like Saint Clare, the more you come to Him, the more He will make you become like Him. When you gaze at Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration, He is gazing back at you with great love.
Words of Saint Clare:
“Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation."
Saint Clare, pray for us and all those we pray for through this ministry.
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