What does it mean that St. Clare is the Patron Saint of our parish?
The practice of adopting patron saints goes back to the building of the first public churches in the Roman Empire, most of which were built over the graves of martyrs. The churches were then given the name of the martyr, and the martyr was expected to act as an intercessor for the Christians who worshiped there.
Soon, Christians began to dedicate churches to other holy men and women—saints—who were not martyrs. Today, we still place some relic of a saint inside the altar of each church.
That St. Clare is the patron Saint of our parish, means that we venerate her in a special way, we look to holy example and her intercession in a special way. Her statue stands in the Church here: garbed in her Franciscan habit, clutching the monstrance to her heart.
Though most of us are not consecrated religious, we too should seek like St. Clare to be garbed with holiness and penance according to our state of life. She reminds that happiness and joy are not found in earthly riches or accolades, but in seeking Christ with our whole hearts. Our patroness said, “We become what we love, who we love shapes what we become”. We are transformed, sanctified, we become the people God made us to be when we love Jesus Christ above all.
“Do you know the story of St. Clare?” We should ask our parish visitors, our visiting families. Bring the young ones to statue, tell them her story, let her teach them about what matters most in life.
You can ask them, did you know that St. Clare is the patron saint of television? Then tell them the story of how the Holy Spirit allowed St. Clare, confined to her sick bed to mystically watch the Mass being celebrated, 600 years before the invention of television! She reminds us to use televisions, computer screens, iphone screens in moral ways.
There is a beautiful blessing St. Clare gave to her religious sisters, which we do well to offer on behalf of our parishioners: “May Almighty God Bless you May He look upon you with the eyes of His Mercy and give you His peace. Here below may He pour forth His graces on you abundantly and in heaven may He place you among His saints.” For the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For all the people of St. Clare Parish, that our patroness may be an example of holiness and powerful intercessor for us all.
For the Poor Clare’s and all those religious under St. Clare’s patronage, for their sanctification, and that they may be a witness to the whole Church to seek the holiness for which we were made.
Under the patronage of St. Clare of Assisi, for a proper use of televised media, for an end to the scourge of pornography, and all forms of exploitation.
That St. Clare may teach us seek the presence and protection of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, for increase in devotion to perpetual adoration here and everywhere.
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering. We pray.
For the deceased priests, religious, catechists, staff, and volunteers of St. Clare parish, for our deceased family members, friends, and parish, for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for all who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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