St. Clare, pray for us – a model for the discerning heart…In Conversation with Sr. Joan Mueller

Please enter into the life's story 0f St. Clare's life by listening to one of the best storytellers we know...Sr. Joan Mueller. She is enthralling!!! St. Clare of Assisi was co-foundress of the Order of Poor Ladies or Clares and the first Abbess of San Damiano; born at Assisi, 16 July 1194; died there 11 August 1253. I can't even begin to describe the effect St. Clare has had on my life. My relationship with her goes so deep that any words I could come up with would not honor her as I wish I could. I should share this little story of my own. In 2007, I had a chance to visit Assisi...I just wanted to be near St. Clare. I didn't plan it, but my hotel ended up being right across the street from St. Clare's Basilica (it seems wrong to call it a street, its width is so small). Really early one morning, I couldn't sleep, so I got up and began walking around outside of the Basilica. No one was out; all the shops closed, the sun was coming up. On a whim, I thought I would see if the church's doors were open (thinking to myself, of course, they wouldn't be), but to my surprise, they opened. So I entered. No one was around. I saw steps leading down to a lower level. I stepped over the rope blocking the entrance (boorish American that I am) and walked down. The path led down to an area with a display of relics, like clothing and other items (I assumed they were Clare's), and then I turned around and saw something incredible...the crypt of St. Clare. It stopped me in my tracks, so much so that I had to remind myself to breathe again. I quietly walked over to the enclosure grates that blocked off getting any closer. I knelt, and I just started to weep...I couldn't help it. It was so quiet; it was such a gift. I began to pray. I brought to St. Clare all the petitions I held so deeply in my heart. And when that was done, silence filled the space. After about 10 minutes, out of nowhere, I could hear the sound of the Poor Clare Sisters in the distance chanting their morning prayers. I knelt at that spot, for a good 30 minutes or so, all alone with St. Clare. I then got up, praised God for this special moment, and left the basilica. She's been with me, especially, ever since. St. Clare, pray for us. The post St. Clare, pray for us – a model for the discerning heart…In Conversation with Sr. Joan Mueller appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.