April 6, 2025
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I was asked to write about my personal experiences and understanding of two extraordinary people: Francis and Clare of Assisi.
As I reflected on this assignment, I realized something simple yet profound—Francis and Clare are truly “Good Friends” to me. It is both an honor and a joy to share this friendship with you.
Do you know St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi?
Francis was born in 1181 and died on October 3, 1226, at the age of 45. Clare was born on July 16, 1194, and died on August 11, 1253, at the age of 59.
Francis came from a working-class background, while Clare belonged to a noble family. Yet both grew up in the same neighborhood, amid family ties, deep faith, and political unrest in the beautiful countryside of Assisi, Italy. It’s very possible their families knew each other—after all, Assisi was (and still is) a small village.
I had the privilege of “meeting” St. Francis in 1967, at St. Francis Seminary in North Andover, Massachusetts. The seminary was home to a group of Friars who taught and formed young men preparing for the priesthood and religious life.
During this time, one of the priests—Father Matthias Pastori, OFM—was introducing the early teachings of Vatican II. He believed these teachings could enrich the lives of the laity as well. So, he developed a curriculum of talks that spanned several years, helping us grow in understanding and prepare for the future of our Church communities.
I attended many of these talks, and they sparked in me a deep love for the Franciscan way of life. I was eager to learn. Through this experience, I encountered the Church through the unique and inspiring lens of Franciscan spirituality.
I felt God was calling me to something new—something I not only wanted for myself but longed to share with others. I remember sharing this with Father Matthias. He knew of my community… and the rest, as they say, is history.
During that same time, just across the street from the Seminary, there was a Poor Clare Monastery. Some of the sisters were permitted to attend Father Matthias’s lectures. I enjoyed meeting them, though I didn't truly begin studying St. Clare until later in my formation.
As a Novice between 1970 and 1972, I was introduced to the writings of Murray Bodo, OFM, a Franciscan priest from the Province of St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati. He authored two books that would become spiritual companions for me:
Through these books, Francis and Clare came alive.
I joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our motherhouse sits just across Lake Michigan. During many spring, summer, and fall days, I would walk down to the lake, find a quiet place, and read Murray’s books reflectively.
It felt as if Francis, Clare, and Murray were sitting with me—speaking directly to my heart. I fell in love with every verse.
What touches me most about Francis and Clare is their authentic respect for others.
In the Franciscan Family, there is reverence for all people—male and female, all of creation, and people of all ages, from the beginning to the end of life. Their devotion to the life of Jesus was the very core of their faith.
They knew the Scriptures deeply and spent hours in daily contemplation. From this grounding in prayer, they drew the strength to live with simplicity and care for the poor. Their lives were a call—a bold, unwavering invitation—to never walk away from those in need.
Over the years, I read several biographies of Francis and Clare, and I had the privilege of going on pilgrimage to Assisi not once, but twice. My first pilgrimage lasted a week, and the second—a full month.
It was there, in their hometown, that I truly fell in love with them as my Franciscan Companions.
In the summer of 1994, I also had the opportunity to study at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University, under the guidance of Regis Armstrong, OFM Cap. We used Francis and Clare: The Complete Works as our central text—a deeply enriching experience.
To this day, I carry Francis and Clare with me—not only as saints and historical figures, but as friends, mentors, and spiritual guides.
Their example continues to shape my journey as a Franciscan woman in the world and the Church. I hope their story touches your heart as it has touched mine.
" In the Franciscan Family there is reverence for ALL people: male, female, all of creation, all ages—from the beginning of life to the end of life. There is a devotion to the Life of Jesus as their main source of faith. They knew the Scriptures. They spent hours each day in contemplation...Their life was a call to never walk away from those in need."
Francis brought depth to the Incarnation of Jesus's Birth at Greccio when he noticed Jesus was being forgotten. It was there in Greccio that he invited the common people to join him in recalling the Birth of Christ.
I am originally from Lowell, Massachusetts. To this day, the outdoor Creche is in front of Lowell's City Hall—for all to never forget this important moment in the life of a Christian.
In the stories of Francis's final days, he received the Stigmata in response to his prayer that he would experience all that Christ did in his life. Then he went to where Clare lived in San Damiano. She and her sisters cared for him for 50 days. After which, he wanted to be with his brothers at the Portiuncola.
Francis wanted to be placed naked on the earth. However, he was covered. He named his process of dying "Sister Death", for he was able to embrace even her place in his life.
He asked for his almond cookie from Sister Jacoba. The friars did not want her to come because it was their enclosure, but Francis then said,
"Tell 'Brother Jacoba' to come."
He also wanted the reading from St. John's Gospel, starting with the passage that begins:
"Six days before the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his hour had come for him to pass from this world to the Father..."
Francis’s body fell asleep in the Lord.
Clare of Assisi is the feminine presence of the charism of St. Francis. And yet, together they have provided an amazing combination of two loving people—showing us even to this day how to walk in the Footprints of Jesus to love God and others each and every day.
Our present Holy Father, Pope Francis, chose his name in honor of Francis of Assisi. In his years of being Pope, he has witnessed to what I believe Francis of Assisi would do if he were living today.
I entered my own congregation on September 8, 1969.
This summer, I was blessed to make a Directed Retreat at Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in North Andover for 10 Days, led by their director Rev. Dr. Lawrence Jay. He agreed to listen to my spiritual journey. Each day, he gave me ways to integrate the spiritual underpinnings of Jesus, Francis, and Clare.
Finally, I would like to share two short writings of Francis and Clare, which gave me a clear understanding of their passion for expressing their beliefs. These same thoughts are at the core of my commitment as a Franciscan woman in our World and Church.
May you be blessed as you read them and take them into your heart.
I learned again that these Holy People who have formed me along the way are my main Spiritual Guides, and I am most grateful.
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord.
Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor and all blessing.
To You alone, Most High, do they belong,
and no person is worthy to mention Your name.
Praise be You, my Lord, with all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun,
who is the day and through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor;
and bears a likeness of You, Most High One.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air,
cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather
through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.
Praised be to You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night,
and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Mother Earth,
who sustains and governs us,
and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
from whom no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin.
Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will,
for second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks
and serve Him with great humility.
Prayer of St. Clare
What you hold, may you hold,
What you do, may you do and not stop
But with swift pace,
light steps,
unswerving feet,
so that even your steps stir up no dust.
May you go forward
securely, joyfully and swiftly,
on the path of prudent happiness,
believing nothing,
agreeing with nothing
that would dissuade you from this commitment
or would place a stumbling block
for you on the way,
so that nothing prevents you from offering
your vows to the Most High in the perfection
to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you. Amen
Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center
660 Great Pond Road
North Andover, MA, 01845
thestaff@rollingridge.org
Phone: (978) 682-8815
Fax: (978) 681-1162
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