Bret Thoman - St. Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister

Mother Rosella Chiara, OSC

T O enter into a book is always an experience of encounter: with a story, with faces, with the author, and even with oneself. The book which you, dear brother or sister reader, are about to begin is, on the surface, an encounter with the person and charism of Santa Chiara of Assisi. But it is an encounter with not only her but others as well, for the book you are about to read weaves together various stories and faces.

You will, first of all, encounter Chiara: the woman of Assisi who was called to be light from the cloister. You will walk with her as she courageously renounces a life of worldly privilegesknights and chivalry, land and wealth, status and nobilityand chooses, instead, to become the first woman follower of Francis with just one privilege: that of poverty.

Next, you will encounter the community of sisters in San Damiano. You will meet other women who, like Chiara, made the decision to leave their families and embrace life in community and the hardships of poverty. In this, Chiara and the women of San Damiano chose the joy of walking in the footsteps of the poor and humble Christ.

However, if you go deeper, you may discover that the faces of these characters from eight centuries ago are not very different from those who continue to embrace this form of Clarian life: like ustodays Clarisse (Poor Clares) who still strive to receive and live the legacy of Chiara of Assisi.

Our community is comprised of twenty sisters of varying ages (from thirty to ninety-four!) who live in a small village in the central Italian region of the Marches. Our origins, in simplicity and joy, testify to a contemplative and evangelical life lived through following in the footsteps of Francis and Chiara.

Our days are punctuated by liturgical prayer, immersion in silence, moments of recreation, and listening to the Word. Underlying everything is intense fraternal sharing and humble daily work (we make Eucharistic hosts for churches and stitch habits for the Friars Minor). Ours is a simple presence, though rich in relationship with the Lord and with friendships with the friars as well as our brothers and sisters in our local community and beyond.

We live vows of simplicity, though today we have been called to an even more radical poverty due to the 2016 earthquakes that damaged several parts of our monastery. As a result, we have been forced to accept new living quarters in the guesthouse, where our space (so important to our way of life) has been greatly reduced.

Returning to the book at hand, there are other faces as well: those of other characters and personages from Chiaras time and place come to life on these pagesher mother and father, uncles and sisters, neighbors and relatives, knights and nuns, Francis and the brothers, strong-willed abbesses, bishops, and popes.

Further, if you read between the lines, you might also be able to discern (especially if you know him as we do) the face of Bret and his family in certain characters. But in this book, there are many faces of people like him: those who have discovered a reality that fascinates and amazes, not only because of the testimony of a choice of total surrender to God, but also due to the fraternal welcome that engages and becomes sharing, and which, in turn, calls one to a more authentic and profound faith.

But there is One who unites all these faces: that of Christ himself. It was this face of Christ, on the crucifix at San Damiano, that inspired Francis to leave his bourgeois family behind and follow him in simplicity and poverty; it was this face of Christ that inspired Chiara to leave her own noble family and do the same; and it is this face that has inspired so manyall those, throughout the centuries, who have followed the challenge of the Gospel: If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me (Mt 19:21).

In the end, this book intricately weaves together all these faces and stories. Indeed, what stands out is the underlying theme of relationships as Bret Thoman explores how Chiara related to her earthly mother and father, to Francis, to her sisters, but especially to the Father. For the spiritual life flourishes when it is engaged with others: in a religious fraternity like ours or that of the friars; in a holy family, the domestic church, like that of Bret, his wife, and children; in a lay order like the Secular Franciscan Order; or in so many other ecclesial communities now proliferating throughout the Catholic Church.

Finally, within the lines of this book, it is our hope and prayer that you, dear reader, will be able to see your own face. May this book be like a mirror for you, and may the light of the Gospellived and reflected so brightly by Chiarailluminate you and reflect your own story and calling.

And as you begin your journey in the life of Chiara, know that wethe Poor Clare Sisters who have been called to safeguard her legacy and storywill be accompanying you in prayer as you walk with St. Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister.

MOTHER ROSELLA CHIARA, OSC