Back to the weekly, aimed at the discovery of our beloved saints! Today, the day dedicated to women, rediscover the story of a holy woman who has stood out for his strong faith that has made it similar to Blessed Francis of Assisi with whom he shared the path of love and faith, she is known as St. Clare of Assisi .
Following the usual biographical section, we reflect his will:
the evening of Palm Sunday (1211 or 1212) a beautiful eighteen year old girl runs away from his home in Assisi and runs to the Porziuncola, where Francis and expect the group children of his brothers. Make them wear a robe of a penitent, to cut their hair and then hospitalized in the next two Benedictine monasteries in Bastia and Sant'Angelo.
finally declared his dwelling in the small outhouse the church of San Damiano, which was restored by Francis. Here is Clare's sister Agnes was reached, then the other, Beatrice, and groups of girls and women will soon be fifty.
So begins, under the influence of Francis of Assisi, the adventure of Clare, daughter of nobles who oppose by force its way of life, but in vain. Indeed, after a few years she will go with her mother, Ortolan. However, not clear-and-run by the nuns to go, "or to enter into a community known and established. Fascinated by the preaching and example of Francis, the girl wants to create a family of poor cloistered radically as individual and as a monastery, living in their work and some help the Friars Minor, immersed in prayer for himself and for others, for everyone, for all concerned. Popularly known as "Damian" and Francis "Poor Women", will then be forever known as "Clarisse."
From Francis, she gets a first rule based on poverty. Francis advised, inspired Francis always, even unto death (1226), but she is a hero for his part, although it will make them hard to accept the post of abbess. In a way, it promises to be the strong woman that her initiative and the next century will develop in the Church.
Cardinal Ugolino, Bishop of Ostia, and protector of the Child, gives a new rule that reduces poverty, but she does not accept discounts as Ugolino, who became Pope Gregory IX (1227-41) grants the "privilege of poverty", later confirmed by Innocent IV with a solemn bull of 1253, presented to Clare a few days before death. Austerity
forever. But "we do not have a body made of bronze, nor is the robustness of our Granite". So says one of the letters (in modern translation here) to Agnes of Prague, the daughter of the King of Bohemia, severe abbess of a Franciscan monastery inspired ideal. Chiara
sends her affectionate advice and explicit: "I beg you to moderate with wise discretion in austerity and almost impossible to exaggerate, in which I learned that you've started. "Chiara Agnese should know how to make sick sister services also the most humble and unpleasant, without losing his smile and do not lose. Just two years after death, Pope Alexander IV proclaims a saint.
Clare was known for devotion to the Eucharist. Twice Assisi was threatened by the army of Emperor Frederick II, who counted among his soldiers, even the Saracens. Clare, in that sick time, was brought to the city walls holding the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament: his biographers say that the army, at the sight, they said to flee.
Author: Dominic Agassi
TESTAMENT
[2823] 1 In the name of the Lord (Col 3:17). Amen.
2 Among other benefits, we have received and every day we receive from our benefactor, the Father of mercies (2 Cor 1:3), for which we are required to make him glorious live offerings, 3 is great of our vocation. And the more it is great and perfect, so we are more obliged to him. 4 Therefore, the Apostle warns: "Know your calling (1 Cor 1:26)" \\ rref Know your vocation.
[2824] 5 The Son of God made our way (cf. Jn 14 , 16), and this by word and example (cf. 1 Tim 4:12) and taught us our blessed father Francis, a true lover and follower of him.
[2825] 6 We must, therefore, dear sisters, meditate the immense benefits that God has filled, 7 especially those whom he deigned to work with us through His beloved servant, our blessed father Francis, 8, and not only after our conversion, but since we were still between the vanities of the century.
[2826] 9 While in fact, the same saint, who had neither brothers nor his companions, almost immediately after his conversion, 10 was intent on repairing the church of San Damiano, where receiving the visit of the Lord in which he was intoxicated heavenly consolation, 11 felt the final push to abandon the whole world, in a transport of great joy and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, prophesied concerning us that after the Lord has made.
[2827] 12 climbed over the wall of that church, so it then shouted, aloud and in French, pointing to some poor people who were below them: 13 "Come and help me in this work of the monastery San Damiano, 14 to live there because soon there will be women, and for fame and sanctity of their lives give glory to our heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5.16) in all its holy Church "\\ rref Come and help me in this work of the monastery of San Damiano, 14 to live there because soon there will be women, and for fame and sanctity of their lives give glory to our heavenly Father in all his holy Church.
[2828] 15 We can thus see that in fact the great goodness of God towards us: 16 He has deigned, in his abundant mercy and love, to inspire such words to her about our Holy calling and election (cf. 2 Pt 1:10). 17 Not only us, however, our most holy father foretold these things, but all the others that would follow this holy vocation, to which the Lord has called us.
18 By how much and how availability urges application of mind and body so we have to perform the commandments of God and our Father Francis, because, with God's help, we can give back to him multiplied, the talents (cf. Mt 25.15-23) received!
[2829] 19 In fact, even the Lord has placed us as a model, for example and not only for other men, but also for our sisters, the ones that the Lord Himself called to follow our vocation, 20 so that they too will shine like a mirror and example to all who live in the world.
[2830] 21 Avendoci So he selected for a task so high, what is this, that they can mirror us in all those calls to be example and others, 22 we are extremely obliged to bless and praise the Lord and to grow every day more for the good. 23 Therefore, if we live according to the aforementioned form of life, we will leave a noble example to the other (see 2Mac 6,28.31), and through a labor of very short duration, we gain the pallium (Phil. 3:14) of eternal happiness .
[2831] 24 After the top was heavenly Father saw fit, for his mercy and grace, to enlighten my heart because they begin to do penance, following the example and instruction of our most blessed father Francis , 25 poco tempo dopo la sua conversione, io, assieme alle poche sorelle che il Signore mi aveva donate poco tempo dopo la mia conversione, liberamente gli promisi obbedienza, 26 conforme alla ispirazione che il Signore ci aveva comunicata attraverso la lodevole vita e l'insegnamento di lui.
[2832] 27 Il beato Francesco poi, costatando che, nonostante la debolezza e fragilità del nostro corpo, non avevamo indietreggiato davanti a nessuna penuria, povertà, fatica e tribolazione, né ignominia o disprezzo del mondo, 28 che, anzi, sull'esempio dei santi e dei suoi frati, tutto ciò stimavamo sommo diletto - cosa questa che lui stesso ed i suoi frati avevano potuto verificare più volte -, molto se ne rallegrò in the Lord.
[2833] 29 Therefore, moved by a sense of fatherly love toward us, forced himself and his religion have always diligent care and special care of us, so that his brothers .
[2834] 30 And so, for the Lord's will and our most blessed father Francis, came to live next to the church of San Damiano. 31 Here, in a short time the Lord for His mercy and grace, we multiplied greatly, it might be fulfilled what he had foretold by the mouth of his Holy. 32 Before, in fact, we had stayed, but only briefly, in another place.
[2835] 33 Later he wrote for us a way of life, and principally who persevere in the holy poverty. 34 Neither contented himself during his earthly life, to stimulate with many exhortations and example to love and observance of holy poverty, but also left us many teachings written so that, after his death, we do not turn away any to it, 35 because even the Son of God, while living on earth, never wanted to get away from this holy poverty.
[2836] 34 Neither contented himself during his earthly life, to stimulate with many exhortations (See . Acts 20:2) and by his example to love and observance of holy poverty, but also left us many teachings written so that, after his death, not in any way we left it, 35 because even the Son of God, while living on earth, never wanted to get away from this holy poverty.
[ 2837] 36 And our most blessed father Francis, following in his footsteps (cf. 1 Pt 2:21), he chose for himself and his brothers this holy poverty of the Son of God, nor ever, while he lived, he withdrew into any way, neither by word nor with life.
[2838] 37 And I, Clare, I am, though unworthy, the servant of Christ and of the Poor Clares of the Monastery of San Damiano and seedling del padre santo, poiché meditavo, assieme alle mie sorelle, la nostra altissima professione e la volontà di un tale padre, 38 ed anche la fragilità delle altre che sarebbero venute dopo di noi, temendone già per noi stesse dopo la morte del santo padre nostro Francesco - che ci era colonna e nostra unica consolazione dopo Dio e sostegno (Cfr. 1Tm 3,15) -, 39 perciò più e più volte liberamente ci siamo obbligate alla signora nostra, la santissima povertà, perché, dopo la mia morte, le sorelle che sono con noi e quelle che verranno in seguito abbiano la forza di non allontanarsi mai da essa in nessuna maniera.
[2839] 40 E come io sono stata sempre diligente e sollecita nell'osservare I myself, and do observe the holy poverty, we promise to the Lord and our holy father Francis, 41 so the sisters who happen to me in this office, are obliged to respect and observe it from the other until the end.
[2840] 42 But again, for safety reasons, I bother to appeal to Mr. Innocent, during the reign of which started the Order, and to his successors, because they confirm and corroborate with the papal privileges, Our occupation of holy poverty, which promises to our blessed father, 43 May they never, at any time we walked away from it.
[2841] 44 Which, by bending your knees and bowing deeply, body and soul, in the charge of the holy mother the Roman Church, the Supreme Pontiff, and especially to Cardinal will be deputy to the Religion of Friars Minor and ours, all my sisters, present and those to come, 45 because, for the sake of that Lord, that poor man at his birth he was placed in a manger (Luke 2:12), lived in poverty on the ground and stood naked on the cross, 46 care should be taken to enforce that his little flock (cf. Lk 12:32) - why the high Father, by word and example of our blessed father Francis, the father of his Church, to imitate his poverty and humility of his beloved Son and his glorious Virgin Mother -, 47 holy poverty, that God and our blessed Father Francis we promise, and still worthy of fervor and keep the sisters in such poverty.
[2842] 48 Furthermore, as the Lord gave us our most blessed father Francis as the founder, and support our planter in the service of Christ and the things we promised to God and that our father, 49, and he lived until , was always considerate care to farm and grow us, its plant, by word and deed of his; 50 so I commend my sisters, present and the future successor of our blessed Father Francis and all the friars of his Order, 51 because there are helpful to move increasingly into the well in the service of God and especially to observe the holy poverty better.
[2843] 52 And if it were to happen at some time, that those sisters leave the monastery of San Damiano and moved elsewhere, are nevertheless required, wherever they lived after my death, to observe the same form of poverty, we promise to God and our most blessed father Francis.
[2844] 53 However, the one who will be in the office [ Abbess of] what the other sisters, they always care and precaution to avoid buying or accepting land around the monastery aforesaid, if not in the quantity demanded that the extreme need of a garden for growing of vegetables. 54 If we were to take some time, for a proper isolation of the monastery, to have some 'of land outside the fence of the garden, do not permit purchase of more than require the extreme necessity, and 55 then that land is not worked or sown, but will always remain uncultivated and Inara.
[2845] 56 I admonish and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ all the sisters, present and future, that they strive always to imitate the way of holy simplicity, humility and poverty, and even the honesty of this holy life, 57 which we were taught by our blessed Father Francis from the beginning of our conversion to Christ.
[2846] Using 58 of these virtues, and not for our merits, but only for the mercy and grace of the Father, Giver of Mercy (see 2 Corinthians 1:3); always pour forth the aroma (see 2 Cor 2:15) of their good reputation on those that are far, how about those who are close.
[2847] 59 And loving each other in Christ's love, love you have in your hearts be shown outside the works (cf. James 2:18), 60 so that the sisters, by such an example, continues to grow in the love of God and in charity.
[2848] 61 Still I pray that she will the Government of the sisters, who studies other than to preside over the virtues and the sanctity of life, for dignity, for 62, inspired by her example, her sisters pay obedience, not so much for the office he occupies, but for love. 63 Whether it is also fair to provident and her sisters, as a good mother to her daughters, 64 and especially studies is to provide for each in its needs with those alms which the Lord will send. 65 is still so friendly and affordable for all, that the sisters can express their needs confidently 66 and use her at any time with confidence, as they believe best for themselves or for the benefit of the sisters.
[2849] 67 The sisters then, that subject, remember that it is love for the Lord who have renounced their own will. 68 So I want to obey their mother, as voluntarily promised to God, 69 that their mother, looking at the charity, I'umiltà and the union that reigns among them, are lighter weight which supports Office 70 and, on their holy lives, what is troublesome and turned bitter for her sweetness.
[2850] However, since 71 is the narrow way and the path and narrow is the gate through which one walks and enter into life, few are those who travel and there (cf. Mt 7:14) entering, 72, and if Yet there are those who for a little while you walk, few persist in it. 73 Blessed are those, however, are allowed to walk this way and persevere to the end (cf. Ps 118.1 and Mt 10:22)!
[2851] 74 And so we, who are in the way of revenue Lord, let us not give up ever, to our fault or negligence or ignorance. 75 will go to insult so great Sir, to his Virgin Mother, to our Blessed Father Francis, to the whole Church triumphant, and also to the Church here on earth. 76 It is written, in fact: Damn those who stray from your commands (Psalm 118.21).
[2852] 77 For this reason, io piego le mie ginocchia davanti al Padre del Signore nostro Gesù Cristo (Ef 3,14), affinché, per i meriti della gloriosa santa Vergine Maria sua Madre, del beatissimo padre nostro Francesco e di tutti i santi, 78 lo stesso Signore, che ci ha donato di bene incominciare (Cfr. 2Cor 8,6.11), ci doni ancora di crescere (Cfr. 1Cor 3,6.7) nel bene e di perseverarvi fino alla fine. Amen.
[2853] 79 Questo scritto, perché sia meglio osservato, io lascio a voi, sorelle mie amatissime e carissime, presenti e future, in segno della benedizione del Signore, del beatissimo padre nostro Francesco e della benedizione della vostra madre e serva.
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