FEAST OF BLESSED MARIA CLARA

The great feast of Mother Clara commemorating her 111 death anniversary calls us to renew our spiritual birth in the congregation of Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Our Foundress lived on this earth as a model of love and charity “ Do good where there is good to be done”, echoes the heart beat of the birth of our congregation through the pains of religious persecution and sickness. Mother Clara, who was barely 35 years old, had to shoulder the responsibility of leading a Congregation at a time in history, when women were considered to be 2nd class citizens, who were to be submissive to the orders of men. The government as well as other officials were not very encouraging. With her total trust in the Lord, and her conviction that “The Providential glance of God watches over us !” Mother Clara was able to nurture the Congregation which reached out to the thousands of poor and needy and which continues to do so in different parts of the world even today. A life that is transformed, to produce life in other lives. The grain of wheat, giving fruit through the strength of the Spirit. Inner sap, spurring generosity in those who follow her ideal are the Deep footprints of the life of Mother Clara today, forming the path for many, to continue her work. And, the more the workers follow her, the more this world will be happy, through the blessing of the Gospel, lived and proclaimed The links of courage and joy, of devotion and humanity, of faith and great zeal, interwoven by a thousand dangers and exertions, will offer the people of other places a blanket woven with love and a tent of shelter and hope. A fertile life in her self-gift, opening frontiers to all charity, Mother Maria Clara moves towards her new Easter. Lord, You who motivated Mother Clara to live with an ever grateful heart, advising us to "be generous towards You, as You have been generous towards us", through Your intercession, as we gather round this altar give us the grace to worthily partake of this mystery as her true daughters, friends and intercessors. This morning we remember each of our sisters all over the world, the Fasfhic members and the Pro- league members who are ever zealous to spread the witnesses of her great generosity through the miracles and graces obtained to face the challenges of our ever changing world. . Lord our God "Many and marvellous are the wonders you work upon us" (Ps. 39). Through the intercession of Your Servant, Mother Clara, through whom You revealed to many Your love, give heed to our prayer, and once again manifest Your goodness, granting us the grace we ask for.Glory be... Lord Jesus, You who ask us "Be perfect as Your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt. 5:48), enkindle in us the desire to imitate You. In the example of Mother Clara who filing the edges of her defects, went on perfecting herself ever more, grant us a good heart and the grace of obtaining what we ask of You.Glory be... .