A Prayer of St. Clare

We know that Clare of Assisi (1194–1253) was a saint who devoted her life to contemplative prayer. I don’t know if she ever composed a prayer to share with her own Poor Clare Monastery of San Damiano near Assisi, or with the larger Franciscan family. I do know, however, about the four important letters she wrote about prayer and sent to Agnes of Prague (Bohemia).

Agnes of Prague was the daughter of a wealthy, noble and, indeed, royal family of that city. At an early age, in 1234, Agnes felt called to join a new monastery of Poor Clares in Prague that included seven other women of the wealthiest Bohemian families and also five Poor Clares of Italy.

I felt inspired to compose the Prayer of St. Clare that you see presented below. It was freely assembled from various sentences and phrases taken from the second and third letters of St. Clare. Even though the words of the prayer are addressed to Agnes of Prague, they really describe St. Clare’s thoughts on prayer.

And that’s why we can rightly call what follows:

A Prayer of St. Clare

I…encourage you [Agnes] for love of Him to Whom you

have offered yourself as a holy and pleasing sacrifice that

you always remember your resolution:

As a poor Virgin, embrace the poor Christ.

Look upon Him who became contemptible for you,

and follow Him, making yourself contemptible in this world

for Him.

O most, noble Queen,

Gaze upon Him,

Contemplate Him,

as you desire to imitate him.

If you suffer with Him, you will reign with him.

If you weep with Him, you shall rejoice with Him;

If you die with Him on the cross of tribulation,

you shall possess heavenly mansions in the

splendor of the saints

and you shall live forever.”

“Place your mind before the mirror of eternity!

And transform your whole being into the image of the

Godhead Itself

through contemplation!

So that you too may feel what His friends feel,

as they taste the hidden sweetness

which God Himself has reserved

from the beginning

for those who love Him.

Totally love Him who gave Himself

totally for your love.

✛ ✛ ✛

St. Clare, help us to imitate the values that you and St. Francis have passed on to us. Help us to contemplate the incredible overflowing love that God has lavishly poured out upon us all. May we learn to respond in our own lives with that same kind of generous love! Amen.

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