Can anyone think of Clare without Francis? Is it possible to conceive of the mendicant orders without the witness of Saint Clare? Saint Clare of Assisi is a pivotal figure in Catholic
spirituality and religious life that I think she’s been studied and followed by
very few. James Thompson, a composer of sacred music, wrote the following piece
on Clare which deserves our attention. I have posted Thompson’s texts here before
with the thought that they provide food for thought and prayer. He captures
well the spirit and life of this companion of Francis.
O Light from Light,
all splendor’s Source,
all splendor’s Source,
Whose clear beams shine with heaven’s joy,
We give
You thanks for Mother Clare
You thanks for Mother Clare
And ev’ry form of praise employ.
Enticed by
Francis’ preaching sweet,
Francis’ preaching sweet,
Christ Crucified became her Spouse;
She gathered
sisters to her side
sisters to her side
Where Poverty would grace the house.
She left behind
all earthly gain
all earthly gain
That riches true might be her all;
In poverty, obedience,
And
chastity she heard Christ’s call.
chastity she heard Christ’s call.
As mother to her flock, she lived
And
modeled Christ to ev’ryone;
modeled Christ to ev’ryone;
In loving service spent herself
In toil from dawn
to setting sun.
to setting sun.
As she has shown us, Lord,
Your way, So give us grace like her
to be,
to be,
That we may turn from self to You
And in your Way be truly free.
Most
high, omnipotent, good God,
high, omnipotent, good God,
O Father, Son and Spirit blest,
With Mother Clare
and all your saints Bring us,
and all your saints Bring us,
Your Church, to endless rest.
88 88 (LM) no suggested
tune
tune
James Michael Thompson (c) 2009 World Library Publication