In the Footsteps of Our Foundress

March 18^th is one such day.  It was this day in the year 1212 that our Mother St. Clare chose to leave the world and join St. Francis in following Jesus Christ by embracing the Gospel way of life. In the biography of St. Francis written by Thomas of Celano, he recounts the event as follows: “When therefore it came to be Palm Sunday, she [Clare] appeared among the women resplendent for the joy that shone in her, and merrily she entered the Church with her companions.  When the moment came for all to approach the altar and receive the blessed olive [branch] Clare was held back by shyness.  Seeing this the bishop came down the steps to where she was and put the palm in her hand.”  The bishop’s action was a sacred sign confirming her vocation. This was her wedding day!  Each hymn must have lifted up her heart as she prepared to give her life totally to Christ, her Bridegroom. 

That same night, dressed in her finest clothes, she left her family home in secret, accompanied by a friend.  They ran to the little church of our Lady of the Angels, also known as the Portiuncula, where St. Francis and his brothers awaited her.  There he cut her long hair and clothed her in the rough Franciscan habit.  This was the beginning of her life as the first daughter of St. Francis.  He first took her to a Benedictine convent, but soon after St. Clare set down the anchor of her soul at San Damiano, which was to become her home for the rest of her life.

As we gather at the foot of the altar on March 18^th, we recall that day in the life of our mother and foundress and rejoice in our vocation to follow in her footsteps.  It is a day which she herself must have called to mind many times.  With joy and gratitude, we renew our commitment as brides of Christ and daughters of our holy founders, Saints Francis and Clare.