Feast of St Clare - 11th August...
At 18, Clare escaped from her father’s home one night, was met on the road by friars carrying torches, and in the poor little chapel called the Portiuncula received a rough woolen habit, exchanged her jeweled belt for a common rope with knots in it, and sacrificed her long tresses to Francis’ scissors. He placed her in a Benedictine convent, which her father and uncles immediately stormed in rage. Clare clung to the altar of the church, threw aside her veil to show her cropped hair, and remained adamant.
Sixteen days later her sister Agnes joined her. Others came. They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity, and complete seclusion from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order. At age 21, Francis obliged Clare under obedience to accept the office of abbess, one she exercised until her death.
The Poor Ladies went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat, and observed almost complete silence. Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her sisters to moderate this rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.” The greatest emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade Clare to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
Contemporary accounts glow with admiration of Clare’s life in the convent of San Damiano in Assisi. She served the sick and washed the feet of the begging nuns. She came from prayer, it was said, with her face so shining it dazzled those about her. She suffered serious illness for the last 27 years of her life. Her influence was such that popes, cardinals, and bishops often came to consult her—Clare herself never left the walls of San Damiano.
Francis always remained her great friend and inspiration. Clare was always obedient to his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was making real. A well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. Clare had the Blessed Sacrament placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by invading Saracens. “Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of these beasts the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you, dear Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” To her sisters she said, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in Jesus.” The Saracens fled.
Sixteen days later her sister Agnes joined her. Others came. They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity, and complete seclusion from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order. At age 21, Francis obliged Clare under obedience to accept the office of abbess, one she exercised until her death.
The Poor Ladies went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat, and observed almost complete silence. Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her sisters to moderate this rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.” The greatest emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade Clare to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
Contemporary accounts glow with admiration of Clare’s life in the convent of San Damiano in Assisi. She served the sick and washed the feet of the begging nuns. She came from prayer, it was said, with her face so shining it dazzled those about her. She suffered serious illness for the last 27 years of her life. Her influence was such that popes, cardinals, and bishops often came to consult her—Clare herself never left the walls of San Damiano.
Francis always remained her great friend and inspiration. Clare was always obedient to his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was making real. A well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. Clare had the Blessed Sacrament placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by invading Saracens. “Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of these beasts the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you, dear Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” To her sisters she said, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in Jesus.” The Saracens fled.
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Chapter 2023........Deo Gratias! Lead us, Lord
FMM in KB celebrates 60 years presence in Kota Bharu
Standing on the shoulders of the FMM giants who blazed the trail before us, we proudly
celebrated on May 8th 2022, the Diamond Jubilee of continued FMM presence from May 1st
1962 in this remotest State of Malaysia, among the 90% Muslim population.
A committee of parishioners and Sisters Enid Lopez and Mary Anne Fletcher prepared for the
celebration: The Mass and slides of FMM history/ministries down the years; the decorations
so well done by a university student; the ordering of the packed lunch menu; audio-visual
setups to enjoy the occasion; the physical preparation of the Church. How much the laity
were with us was seen in the quiet practice of the altar servers; the practice of the Choir
members with Sr. Angeline Poh; the humble preparation of the tables and tableware by one of
the Basic Ecclesial Community; the gorgeous flower decorations of roses; Our chairperson
who quietly took our plans for a simple cake to another level, by contacting the owner of a
bakery who donated a beautifully decorated 3 kilo cake. Later, on invitation to our convent,
he shared how much he had been touched by the kindness of especially two Sisters to him, a
poor boy needing accommodation, and finding more care than he imagined, and gave him
values to this day
The Mass was solemnly celebrated as it was also the 5th Sunday of Easter. We FMM were
introduced as “Lamps burning our lives out before the Eucharist. '' The Church was fairly full
with people wanting to share our joy. Unfortunately, the slides could be shown only the next
week. It touched many people while reviving memories of associations with the Sisters. The
recreation was enlivened by Sr. Enid’s adaptation of “Happy Wanderer”, It appreciated
individuals and families who had specially helped the Sisters in varied ways. Spontaneous
clapping of hands and waving to the mood of the song and other music kept up the spirit of
joy and oneness of the people with us. They even started a line dance called “Jerusalema
Dance”! Many stayed on for fellowship and karaoke singing.
The next week, the updated slides were shown in the Church, accompanied by a nostalgic
commentary by Sr. Enid, who had researched the history. It depicted the early humble
beginnings by Sisters of different nationalities and languages, and the tremendous
groundwork laid by the pioneers. By going to live and work among the Muslims, the Srs
dared what no other religious congregation at that time would do: as our Constitutions says:
‘to the most dangerous remotest places where Christ is not yet known”. To today, people
years later will tell us how they experienced Christ’s love though the love of the Sisters, in
the deep relationship of friendship and concern in so many situations. Even the former
pre-schoolers say this; so do those who were accompanied in their faith formation in Chinese,
English and Bahasa. Lay persons will accompany Sisters to do marketing; to collaborate
teaching sewing classes; in the camaraderie and picnic atmosphere after Mass. All bound
together in love. The Sisters’ outreach to families in the outstations, often staying overnight
with them after Mass and catechesis; the many poor boarders who lived in the hostel needingaccommodation as well as professional and university students who later stayed, all speak of
being cared for and accompanied.
Perhaps the words of the song, “You raised me up’’ best depict the peoples’ feelings when
they think of the Sisters:
“You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders,
You raised me up to more than I can be”
Thanks be to God who accomplishes things through us, of which we never thought we could
do!
Mary Anne Fletcher, fmm
.
celebrated on May 8th 2022, the Diamond Jubilee of continued FMM presence from May 1st
1962 in this remotest State of Malaysia, among the 90% Muslim population.
A committee of parishioners and Sisters Enid Lopez and Mary Anne Fletcher prepared for the
celebration: The Mass and slides of FMM history/ministries down the years; the decorations
so well done by a university student; the ordering of the packed lunch menu; audio-visual
setups to enjoy the occasion; the physical preparation of the Church. How much the laity
were with us was seen in the quiet practice of the altar servers; the practice of the Choir
members with Sr. Angeline Poh; the humble preparation of the tables and tableware by one of
the Basic Ecclesial Community; the gorgeous flower decorations of roses; Our chairperson
who quietly took our plans for a simple cake to another level, by contacting the owner of a
bakery who donated a beautifully decorated 3 kilo cake. Later, on invitation to our convent,
he shared how much he had been touched by the kindness of especially two Sisters to him, a
poor boy needing accommodation, and finding more care than he imagined, and gave him
values to this day
The Mass was solemnly celebrated as it was also the 5th Sunday of Easter. We FMM were
introduced as “Lamps burning our lives out before the Eucharist. '' The Church was fairly full
with people wanting to share our joy. Unfortunately, the slides could be shown only the next
week. It touched many people while reviving memories of associations with the Sisters. The
recreation was enlivened by Sr. Enid’s adaptation of “Happy Wanderer”, It appreciated
individuals and families who had specially helped the Sisters in varied ways. Spontaneous
clapping of hands and waving to the mood of the song and other music kept up the spirit of
joy and oneness of the people with us. They even started a line dance called “Jerusalema
Dance”! Many stayed on for fellowship and karaoke singing.
The next week, the updated slides were shown in the Church, accompanied by a nostalgic
commentary by Sr. Enid, who had researched the history. It depicted the early humble
beginnings by Sisters of different nationalities and languages, and the tremendous
groundwork laid by the pioneers. By going to live and work among the Muslims, the Srs
dared what no other religious congregation at that time would do: as our Constitutions says:
‘to the most dangerous remotest places where Christ is not yet known”. To today, people
years later will tell us how they experienced Christ’s love though the love of the Sisters, in
the deep relationship of friendship and concern in so many situations. Even the former
pre-schoolers say this; so do those who were accompanied in their faith formation in Chinese,
English and Bahasa. Lay persons will accompany Sisters to do marketing; to collaborate
teaching sewing classes; in the camaraderie and picnic atmosphere after Mass. All bound
together in love. The Sisters’ outreach to families in the outstations, often staying overnight
with them after Mass and catechesis; the many poor boarders who lived in the hostel needingaccommodation as well as professional and university students who later stayed, all speak of
being cared for and accompanied.
Perhaps the words of the song, “You raised me up’’ best depict the peoples’ feelings when
they think of the Sisters:
“You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders,
You raised me up to more than I can be”
Thanks be to God who accomplishes things through us, of which we never thought we could
do!
Mary Anne Fletcher, fmm
.
Sr Susan's Farewell in Singapore/Malaysia...
Online MassSingapore:
Archdiocese of Singapore St Mary of the Angels Parish Information about Mass Booking for Singapore Malaysia: Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur
Vatican
Mass at Casa Santa Marta presided by Pope Francis: www.vaticannews.va |
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