Feast of St Clare

On this Solemnity of the Franciscan Order and Feast Day of the Catholic Church, we remember St. Clare of Assisi. Here is the text of her Blessing, given to her sisters as she approached death. May you be blessed this day and always! - Dan Horan ofm

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He show His face to you and have mercy on you. May He turn HIs countenance to you and give peace to you, my sisters and daughters, and to all other who come and remain in your company and to others both now and in the future, who have persevered until the end in every other monastery of the Poor Ladies.

I, Clare, a handmaid of Christ, a little plant of our most holy father Francis, a sister and mother of you and the other poor sisters, although unworthy, beg our Lord Jesus Christ through His mercy and the intercession of His most holy Mother Mary and of Michael the Archangel and of all the holy angels of God, of our blessed father Francis, and of all men and women saints, that the heavenly Father give you and confirm for you this most holy blessing in heaven and on earth: on earth, by multiplying you in grace and His virtues among His servants and handmaids in His Church Militant; in heaven, by exalting you glorifying you among His holy men and women in His Church Triumphant.

I bless you during my life and after my death, as I am able, out of all the blessings, with which the Father of mercies has blessed and will bless His sons and daughters in heaven and on earth and a spiritual father and mother have blessed and will bless their spiritual sons and daughters. Amen.

Always be lovers of your souls and those of all your sisters. And may you always be eager to observe what you have promised the Lord.

May the Lord always be with you and may you always be with Him. Amen.
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     posted by Sherrill Guimond,
    Regional Director of Formation