Franciscan Family Celebrates St. Clare’s 800th Anniversary

Paul Keggington

April 02, 2012

Today on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012, Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity celebrated the 800th Anniversary of Saint Clare of Assisi’s call to follow Jesus with Franciscan Friars of the Assumption BVM Province, Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, Secular Franciscans and others gathered at St. Mary of the Angels Church, Green Bay, WI for a festive Evening Prayer of Light.

Here are some reasons why the prayer was especially meaningful:

When the Franciscan Family gathers it is ever a joyful time of fellowship and a prayer of praise. Lively conversations were many among the brothers and sisters. Silence was profound and singing was full.

As someone said on entering the church, “My, there has to be a lot of people in church. Cars are parked everywhere outside.”

Because the story of Saint Clare includes St. Mary of the Angels Church in Assisi, to pray in a church with the same name in Green Bay, WI was the next best thing to being there. The friars couldn’t have been more welcoming.

Saint Clare’s Palm Sunday liturgy and eventual evening walk  to meet Francis and the  friars to begin her life as a consecrated woman was reinacted with proper reverence and heartfelt joy. 

Sister Jane Riha, Sister Myra Smith and Sister Julie Ann Sheahan planned a ‘green’ prayer using only song books for psalms. This helped everyone to listen attentively to readings and focus on the present moment.

Click here to view Sam Lucero’s images, The Compass News, Diocese of Green Bay.

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