On Saturday, August 11, we celebrated the feast of St. Clare. What better way to do this than by inviting some young women who are interested in our religious life to pray with us and to learn about the life of St. Clare! It was indeed a Festival of Lights!

We all gathered in the chapel before the San Damiano Cross, just like Clare would do with her sisters. The young women first watched a short PowerPoint about the life of St. Clare in French.

Then we shared the prayer from darkness to light as we walked with Saints Francis and Clare, embracing Christ and listening to our personal call to know what is ours to do with our lives here and now.

The celebration continued with homemade banana bread, iced tea and, of course, some chocolates. The joy of the Lord was shared as we got to know each other even more.

What you hold, may you always hold.

What you do, may you always do and never abandon.

But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet,

so that even your steps stir up no dust,

Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you.

—St. Clare of Assisi