NOVENA TO SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI

Eighth Day - August 9

It is easier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore you have cast aside your garments, that is earthly riches, so that you might not be overcome by the one fighting against you and that you might enter the Kingdom of Heaven through the straight and narrow gate.

What a great laudable exchange:

to leave the things of time for those of eternity,

to choose the things of heaven for the good of earth,

to receive the hundred-fokd in place of one,

and to possess a blessed and eternal life.

From a letter to Saint Agnes of Prague

Dear Saint Clare,

As a young girl you imitated your mother’s love for the poor of your native Assisi.

Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit.

All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death.

Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor.

Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son.

Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...