News RSS Feed

My God and my All! We are at the beginning of a New Year. I am here with OPEN HANDS. It is a time of fresh beginnings. I look forward with hope for your loving designs as you walk with me day by day. I lay before you my OPEN and EMPTY HANDS.

The hush, stillness, calm, quietness and tranquility of SILENCE fosters awareness. Silence promotes being awake and aware of reality. Silence allows me to answer those perennial questions: Who am I? Where am I going? How do I get there? Silence keeps me watchful and open to the voice of conscience, to the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and to the needs of my neighbor.

As Sister Rose Caritas of the Queen of Angels, P.C.C., made her first profession of vows on September 21 in our monastery chapel, the radiance that shown on her face proclaimed to all in attendance just how lovely it is to dwell in His house as His bride.

This July, our community was privileged to participate in both the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. No, we did not leave our beloved cloister, but our dear God surprised us.

The vocation of a Poor Clare is to belong totally to Jesus Christ.  Love is at the heart of our vocation, just as it is at the heart of every Christian’s vocation.  When we see the Holy Eucharist, we are looking at the greatest gift of love man has ever known! 

The vows we profess as religious are precious gifts, through which we unite ourselves to God in a personal covenant of love.  In our community, we traditionally renew our holy vows together on three special days each year.  March 18 is one such day.

Although St. Francis and St. Clare are the beloved founders of the Poor Clares, the memory of St. Colette is also cherished with love by her daughters.

Surprise, joy, incredulity, amazement—receiving a gift can elicit a variety of responses, but hopefully, they all lead to gratitude. 

Thanksgiving Day is the opportunity we have as a nation to thank God for all the gifts He has given us as individuals and as a nation.  During this time of Eucharistic Reivival in the U.S. it's also the perfect day to recognize the greatest of all gifts--Jesus' Real Presence in the most holy Eucharist. 

A frequent comment we hear from visitors at the parlor screen is, “But you’re so joyful!?” Yes, we admit, our life is a bit of a paradox, since for many today, a cloistered life of prayer and penance seems irreconcilable with happiness and fulfillment.

In a world where everything is geared toward convenience, speed, instant communication and timesaving devices, one might look twice at the title of this article, but St. Clare didn’t hesitate to call work a grace. In her thirteenth century Rule, she wrote, “Let the sisters to whom the Lord has given the grace of working work faithfully and devotedly…at work which pertains to a virtuous life and the common good.”

This poem is a reflection on the Blessed Mother’s experience after the crucifixion and death of her Son. 

During a Poor Clare’s first profession ceremony at Maria Regina Mater Monastery, the bishop asks the sister if she wishes to dedicate herself to living a life of “generous penance.” Her response?  “I desire this with my whole heart.”

On January 13, 1381 a child was born in France who was destined to fulfill a great mission. This was Colette Boillet. The circumstances of her birth were extraordinary since her parents had been childless for many years and her mother was 60 years old.

Life is like Advent—a time of preparation to let all God’s glory through.  It is also a time of expectation and longing—often waiting in darkness—preparing for the enchantment of lights, gifts to be given and received, and gatherings with loved ones.  Advent is a season of preparation for Christmas, but even moreso a season to dispose our hearts to welcome Jesus in all the ways He comes to us. 

"Francis, go rebuild my house which, as you can see, is completely falling into ruin."  These words broke the silence of the dimly lit chapel of San Damiano and changed the life of Francis Bernadone forever.  A Voice spoke.  Francis responded.  

During this time of Eucharistic revival in our nation, St. Clare is an excellent model for all of us in her love and devotion for the Most Holy Eucharist.  In honoring the 800th birthday of St. Clare, St. John Paul II wrote, “In reality, Clare’s 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...