Clare of Assisi

     There is a wonderful story about two young people from the mountain town of Assisi in Italy.  They lived at the end of the 1100's.  They were deeply in love - first with themselves, then with God, and then with each other in Christ.  Their names were Francis and Clare.  Today is the feast of Saint Clare.

     After Francis experienced Jesus, renounced his family and possessions, embraced poverty and accepted the task of "rebuilding the church", he would often preach in the square in front of the Cathedral Church of Assisi.  Clare, who lived with her well to do parents, looked on and listened.  She was moved by his passion, and after awhile desired to commit her life to God, following the example of Francis.  At 18 she left home, and with Francis' help, went to the Benedictine Sisters to embrace a Religious Life.  Her family was not pleased, and they came and "rescued" her, locking her away at home.  Escaping once again, she renewed her commitment to lead a religious life and founded a community of women that embraced the spirit of poverty and humility - the Poor Clares.

     She was a strong woman of Faith who lived a full and active life of service to the poor and needy.  There are many stories about her life.  In death she is laid to rest in the Church of Saint Clare in Assisi, where her body is able to be viewed.  Clare is one of the "incorruptibles", those saints whose bodies did not decompose.  I remember seeing her a number of years ago without the wax mask that is commonly placed over the face ... and even though she looked a bit "mummified", you could clearly discern her facial features.  Not bad for someone over 800 years old.  Francis is nothing but bones (the power and grace of women).

     I've included a few pictures of the picturesque town of Assisi that I took years ago ... one is a view of the square in front of the Church of Santa Chiara, another of the "old" Cathedral bell tower, and a third is of the view of the valley from Assisi proper.

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     And speaking of Clare, I had the honor of celebrating the funeral liturgy of a woman whose one year old great granddaughter's name is Clare ... a real charmer.  Clare's great grandmother's name was Magdalene Doblick, and she lived in Boston (Pennsylvania - not far from here).  She was just shy of 91.  A lovely woman whose grandchildren called her "sweetheart", I described her as being a woman of Faith, a woman of family, and a woman of food.  She lived her love and relationship with Jesus in ways that centered upon her joy in her sisters, her four children and their families, and the loving embrace that she gave to everyone that she met.  The third aspect of the description lay in that fact that the kitchen table was the heart of her home, and all were welcome.  She recognized that same truth in the Table of the Lord.  May she share in that heavenly banquet.

     I was asked to preside because her daughter, Marie Konopka, is a great friend of mine and was my Director of Liturgy during my time at the Church of Saint Paul in Greensburg.  Marie and Jim's kids were growing up during those years.  I was truly honored to be invited to share in this great moment in their lives.  It was good to be with so many of the Saint Paul crowd, and to share lunch with many of my former staff.