12 August 2011

Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi

St. Clare. The lesser known Franciscan who lived in the 13th century. Remembered as the deep well to Francis’ raging river, Clare is one of the most courageous, contemplative women our world has ever known.

At a very young age this privileged young girl steeled away in the dark hours of the night to become the first female Franciscan in the ragamuffin band of radical men who were challenging the church and society in their treatment of people in poverty. As an act of solidarity with her brothers and a symbol of leaving her life of wealth behind, she allowed her head to be shaved—a stunning declaration of dying to self—especially for a woman.

The feminine cultural restrictions of her time did not afford Clare the freedom of a mendicant lifestyle—roaming the streets and towns seeking out the poor. Clare was forced to live a more cloistered life—a life that became deeply prayerful as her brothers went out into the world. Her contemplation influenced not only the friars but people of all status—many visitors coming to her for counsel.

Clare is a bright symbol of contemplation married to action. And by her wisdom she is credited to have preserved the Franciscan order, shepherding it into the future after Frances’ death. May her feminine, contemplative spirituality be welcomed into our very active lives.

(written on the city heights of Vancouver at my friends flat)

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