Vocational Supplement
She was so inspired by him, this young man from her own town, twelve years older than her. He had been well known for parties, music and singing. Now all he cared about was following Jesus Christ and encouraging everyone else to do likewise! Francis preached with total sincerity and conviction, and Clare could see that he lived what he preached. He had committed his life wholly to Jesus, the poor and humble One, and Clare knew in her heart that Francis was lighting the same fire in her soul too. She was still in her teens yet so strong in her belief, her faith having been nurtured by her mother, a woman of devotion and of good deeds. Clare was quietly respected and admired by all who knew her. They knew she gave generously to the many poor people living in and around Assisi at that time, the early thirteenth century. Clare knew that marriage was not for her. She too, like Francis, would commit her life to following Jesus.
Clare felt called to give her life to God as a cloistered sister, devoting herself to prayer, to living in community with the young women who joined her in the little monastery outside the walls of Assisi. Her total commitment to Jesus drew many women to join her, to found Poor Clare communities in other countries. Our monastery here in Cork was founded in 1914. We strive to follow Jesus as Poor Clare Sisters, devoting ourselves to prayer and Eucharistic Adoration.
If you are interested in finding out more and if you think Jesus may be calling you to work for a better world through a life of prayer, you are very welcome to email: vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com or write: Mother Abbess, Poor Clare Monastery, College Road, Cork. You may also like to visit our website: www.poorclarescork.ie