Oktoberfest

Sacred Heart Sisters Celebrate St. Clare

By Alice Hatzenbeller, Associate and Chaplain

On August 11, our sisters at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee celebrated St. Clare, her relationship to God, to St. Francis, and to all she touched through her life and legacy. 

The sisters who live at Sacred Heart began the day with Mass in our Chapel and then gathered for hospitality, camaraderie, and evening prayer in our Gathering Room.

In a “Reflection on St. Clare of Assisi” by Sister Maria Garcia, SSSF, we deepened our understanding of Clare’s spirituality:

“The time in history when Francis and Clare lived was a time when the Church needed reform: it had become so rich, so mighty, so concerned with civil power that the Gospel message of loving service had become blurred.

At the heart of Francis’ visionary way of life, stood the Gospel, a burning message of love, compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.

Clare and her followers embraced Francis’ vision and mission. They joyfully served those in need – the sick, the poor, and the oppressed – and came to understand that love for one another is the only true measure of love for God.

Clare’s pure love of Francis and his dream is the perfect expression of her love for God. There was a mutual admiration for the love each had of God. She heard the echo of her own voice in Francis’ words, and he found in her the incarnation of every word he spoke. They reverenced the mystery in each other and allowed enough space between them to preserve that mystery. She made it possible for him to believe that what he spoke was livable; the Gospel life brought joy that Jesus’ words could be lived by those who heard with open hearts.”

For us today, our legacy is to keep Clare’s spirit alive, committing to a simple lifestyle, love for one another, for our friendships, our prayer life, the Eucharist, and all of creation.