Franciscan saints & blesseds: August 2011 Archives

Saint Maximillian Kolbe

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Kolbe in Rome.jpg"Without sacrifice, there is no love. May his intercession further purge us of our idolatries and the sentimentalities that so mar our worship, our loves, our fatuous claims to modernity and maturity." 

(Saint Maximilian Kolbe writing to a fellow priest)
St Clare of Assisi saving a child from a wolf.jpgToday we observe the feast day of one the brilliant gems in the crown of Christ the King, Saint Clare of Assisi. 

Clare, as you know, is the close companion to the great saint Francis of Assisi, who some have called the "other Francis" because of singular vision of living with Christ poor. In time, Clare founded a group of "poor ladies" living together following the Rule written by Clare for God's greater glory in enclosed life. First known as the Order of San Damiano, The Poor Clares as they have been known, live a life of joyous poverty in imitation of Christ. Clare's Rule was an extraordinary act of confidence since the establishment only accepted the Rule of St Benedict for monastic living.

grant of indulgence for St Clare.jpg
Saint Clare was born on July 16, 1194 and died at the age of 59 on August 11, 1253. She was canonized by Pope Alexander IV on September 26, 1255. Our Saint is the patron of those with diseases of the eye, communication systems, goldsmiths and good weather. Perhaps brides and builders should pay more attention to Saint Clare!

For the 800th anniversary of Saint Clare's birth holy Mother Church is offering the faithful --with the usual conditions-- an indulgence.

The four minister generals of the large Franciscans groups wrote the Poor Sisters of Saint Clare a letter for the anniversary where they say they rely on the continued witness of the daughters of Clare today in the monastic life. The friars propose a consolidation that maintains a "healthy and necessary complementarity" among the friars and sisters. Here's the letter: Letter to the Poor Clares.pdf

You may want to read an excellent t book on Saint Clare edited and translated by Capuchin Father Regis J. Armstrong, The Lady: Clare of Assisi: Early Documents (NY: New City Press, 2006).
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About the author

Paul A. Zalonski is from New Haven, CT. He is a member of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, a Catholic ecclesial movement and an Oblate of Saint Benedict. Contact Paul at paulzalonski[at]yahoo.com.

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This page is a archive of entries in the Franciscan saints & blesseds category from August 2011.

Franciscan saints & blesseds: July 2011 is the previous archive.

Franciscan saints & blesseds: September 2011 is the next archive.

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