Vigils Reading – St Clare

A reading from The Life and Writing of

ST CLARE

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Among the many graces which we have received and continue daily to

receive from the liberality of the Father of mercies, and for which we must give

deepest thanks to our glorious God, our vocation holds first place. Indeed,

because it is the more perfect and the greater among these graces, so much the

more does it claim our gratitude. Therefore the Apostle says: “Know your

vocation”.

The Son of God became for us the Way; and that Way our Blessed Father

Francis, His true lover and imitator, has shown and taught us by word and

example. For when the Saint as yet had neither Friars nor companions and,

shortly after his conversion, was repairing the Church of San Damiano and

there, filled completely with divine consolation, was led to abandon the world

wholly and forever, in great joy and in the illumination of the Holy Spirit he

prophesied concerning us what the Lord later fulfilled. For at that time he

mounted the wall of the church and cried with a loud voice… “Come and help me

in building the Monastery of San Damiano; for here will dwell Ladies whose

good name and holy life will glorify our Heavenly Father throughout His holy

Church.”

In this therefore we can behold the great kindness of God toward us, who

of the abundance of His mercy and love deigned to speak thus through His Saint

of our vocation and election. And it was not of us alone that our most blessed

Father prophesied these things, but of all others likewise who were to enter the

holy calling to which God has called us. With what solicitude, therefore, and

fervor of mind and body must we not observe the commandments of God and of

our Father, that with the help of God we may return to Him with increase the

talent He has given us! For the Lord has placed us as an example and mirror not

only for other men, but also for our Sisters whom God has called to our way of

life, that they in turn should be a mirror and an example to those living in the

world.

Since therefore the Lord has called us to such heights of holiness that in u

s our other Sisters may behold themselves who are to be an example to mankind

, we are truly bound to bless the Lord and praise Him and to be strengthened in

Him more and more to do good. Wherefore if we live according to the pattern

given us, we shall leave others a noble example and after life’s short labor gain

the prize of eternal happiness.