Poor Clares Celebrate Feast Day of Patroness
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
August 13, 2020
ROCKFORD—The social aspects of COVID-19 were clear during the annual Mass for the feast of St. Clare at the Poor Clare Colettine Monastery in Rockford on Aug. 11.
Bishop David Malloy celebrated the Mass as usual, with assistance from Father Nicholas Federspiel who serves at the monastery.
But the crowd for Mass was smaller, masks were worn, and worship aids were absent. The always-anticipated St. Clare bread was not able to be provided to those in attendance and the parlor visit could not happen.
Still, the lovely voices of the nuns sang out as in other years.
Bishop Malloy still wore a vestment featuring a picture of St. Clare, and he again told part of her inspiring story in his homily, focusing this year on her work to protect the life of poverty for her nuns with “shrewdness, diplomacy ... and with gentleness.”
He talked about how she was well known for her prayers for the sick of her time and often miraculous cures resulted. The bishop reminded those present of the need to pray for our loved ones and others in this time of COVID.
St. Clare’s life “was not simply a simple life behind the grille,” Bishop Malloy said. “It was part of the renewal of the Church.”
Finally, as always, the bishop expressed his appreciation for the prayers and witness of St. Clare’s nuns even to this day.
Shop Religious items at HOLYART.COM |