Clare of Assisi
Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honour as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.
For a short period, the order was directed by St Francis of Assisi.
In art, Clare is often shown carrying a monstrance or pyx, in commemoration of the occasion when she warded away the invading soldiers of Frederick II at the gates of her convent by displaying the Blessed Sacrament and kneeling in prayer.
Clare is the patron saint of those with eye disease, embroiderers, laundry workers, needle workers, telephones and television.
Pope Pius XII designated Clare as the patron saint of television in 1958 on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room.
Clare quotes
“Blessed be You, O God, for having created me.”
“Our bodies are not made of brass.”
“I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
“Don’t be afraid. Trust in Jesus.”
Buy St Clare
Jackson Kemper
Kemper was baptised at Trinity Church, Wall Street.
He travelled by water whenever possible, but he often had to resort to stagecoach or horseback. He carried all his possessions in his saddlebags: vestments, bible, prayer book, chalice and paten, and personal items.
Kemper vividly recalled sleepless nights in bug-infested lodgings, and corn pone and salt pork suppers spread by simple “church people” at their rough-hewn hearths.
He pleaded for more attention to the Native Indians and encouraged the translation of the Prayer Book into native languages.
By the time of his retirement in 1868, Kemper had travelled 300,000 miles, consecrated 100 churches, ordained 200 to the ministry, and confirmed around 10,000 people.
Kemper quotes
“Not a brother here would I accuse of indifference or cowardice. But I would stir up, with God’s permission, the pure mind of each one, by way of remembrance. It is the spirit of missions I earnestly and most affectionately advocate.”
“Brethren! may it not be our duty to convert the world – may not this high, this inestimable privilege be offered to us! And are we prepared – are we doing at the present moment even one tenth part of what we are capable?”
“I hope I have been faithful; I hope I have kept the faith.” [Kemper’s last words]
Buy Kemper
Jackson Kemper Essential T-Shirt
