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Tag Archives: Clare of Assisi

An Ordinary Prayer

Franciscanism is a spirituality of the people. Continue Reading An Ordinary Prayer

Stay with the Suffering

When we try to live in solidarity with the world’s pain, we will encounter various forms of “crucifixion.” Continue Reading Stay with the Suffering

The Gift of Wise Friends

Friendship and Grace The Gift of Wise Friends Tuesday, April 13, 2021 As a Franciscan, I have always been curious about the fruitful friendship between Francis of Assisi and his female companion Clare. They were not lovers, yet they were deeply devoted to one another, built their orders together, and turned to one another for… Continue Reading The Gift of Wise Friends

Structural and Personal Freedom

Inner and Outer Freedom Structural and Personal Freedom Thursday, June 18, 2020 Francis and Clare of Assisi were not so much prophets by what they said as in the radical, system-critiquing way that they lived their lives. They found both their inner and outer freedom by structurally living on the edge of the inside of… Continue Reading Structural and Personal Freedom

The Prayer of Francis and Clare

The Universal Pattern The Prayer of Francis and Clare Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Both St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) and St. Clare (1194–1253) let go of their fear of suffering; any need for power, prestige, and possessions; and any need for their small self to be important. By doing so they came to know who… Continue Reading The Prayer of Francis and Clare

Dying with Christ

Dying Before You Die Dying with Christ Monday, April 1, 2019 My good friend and Franciscan colleague Sister Ilia Delio writes: God is radically involved with the world, empowering the world toward fullness in love, but God is unable to bring about this fullness without the cooperation of humans. Human and divine cannot co-create unto… Continue Reading Dying with Christ

Franciscan Feminism

Gender and Sexuality: Week 2 Franciscan Feminism Thursday, April 26, 2018 While my religious order is far from perfect, I appreciate how Franciscanism has in so many subtle ways honored and embraced the feminine side of things. One scholar rightly says that St. Francis “without having a specific feminist program . . . contributed to… Continue Reading Franciscan Feminism

Structural and Personal Freedom

Simplicity Structural and Personal Freedom Thursday, October 6, 2016 Francis and Clare of Assisi were not so much prophets by what they said as in the radical, system-critiquing way that they lived their lives. They found both their inner and outer freedom by structurally living on the edge of the inside of church and society.… Continue Reading Structural and Personal Freedom

Solidarity with Pain

Spirituality of Letting Go: Week 2 Solidarity with Pain Monday, September 5, 2016 Both Francis and Clare of Assisi lost and let go of all fear of suffering; all need for power, prestige, and possessions; any need for their small self to be important; and they came out the other side knowing something essential—who they… Continue Reading Solidarity with Pain

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