Franciscan Sisters Minor Now Poor Clares

[Pax_et bonum]

[quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1344623019' post='2465644']
This is super exciting to hear about!! They so beautiful and authentically poor! like the first followers of Sts. Francis and Clare

So this is probably a little premature, but does anyone know, do they have plans to become aggregated into the Order of St. Clare (and thus, profess Solemn Vows)? (also the Franciscan Brothers Minor) It first starts with being affiliated with the Order, and then they become aggregated <-- officially part of.

To give a few examples, the (somewhat) new communities of the Hermits of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel both in Lake Elmo, MN & Christoval, TX were recently aggregated into the O.Carm. Order, [url="http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/hermitical-communities-aggregated-pleno-iure-order"]http://ocarm.org/en/...leno-iure-order[/url] The Carmelite Hermits in Austin, MN were affiliated with the O.Carm. Order in 2008 and are working on aggregation, [url="http://carmelitesaustinmn.com/"]http://carmelitesaustinmn.com/[/url] The Carmelite Monks in Wyoming are not affiliated with either Orders, and are not seeking to, but rather are seeking to become their own Institute of Pontifical Right I am pretty sure .. heard this from a priest. The Monks and Monastic Sisters (not officially nuns) of Bethlehem of the Assumption of the Virgin and of St. Bruno are an Institute of Pontifical Right, to give an example.

Anyway, lots of technicalities! But I am just wondering if there are any plans to become affiliated with the official Order .. my guess is probably
[/quote]
Did you find out anything about this?

There was an article in our diocesan paper about them: [url="http://www.todayscatholicnews.org/2012/08/poor-sisters-of-saint-claire/"]Poor Sisters of Saint Clare[/url]. Part of it said:
[quote]Since the Poor Sisters of Saint Clare are a new community, they have not yet been established as a religious institute. Canonically, they are a public association of the Christian faithful who have made private vows. After some years of proven stability, the community may petition to become a religious institute and the members will be able to make public vows. In the meantime, they will be living the cloistered life and following the Form of Life of Saint Clare of Assisi which was approved by Pope Innocent IV in the year 1253. The Sisters began their cloistered life on August 9th, the very day that Pope Innocent approved Saint Clare’s Rule, two days before her death on August 11, 1253.[/quote]

[Chiquitunga]

Hey pax et bonum! Thanks for sharing that! No, I haven't heard back yet from the Brothers. Maybe because it's kind of a complicated question .. or one that can't be answered for sure for a number of years. But this article pretty much answers my question for now

I believe they will become a religious institute some day .. and then it would be after that (or at the same time?) they could become affiliated with, and then ultimately aggregated (part of) the Poor Clares. But either way, they are living the life now Let us keep them in prayer!

p.s. this makes me wonder about other relatively new Franciscan foundations, and how long it took them to become religious institutes, affiliated, aggregated, etc. I know the Franciscans of the Immaculate are officially part of the Order and profess Solemn Vows. Anyway, it would be something interesting to research in relation to this ..

Edited August 27, 2012 by Chiquitunga

[Pax_et bonum]

I was looking for a picture of one of the brothers at the March for Life (which I can't find...), and I found more pictures from the enclosure! https://plus.google.com/photos/110561327464960550642/albums/5776949508876393169?banner=pwa

[dymphnamaria]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1346737433' post='2478185']
I was looking for a picture of one of the brothers at the March for Life (which I can't find...), and I found more pictures from the enclosure! [url="https://plus.google.com/photos/110561327464960550642/albums/5776949508876393169?banner=pwa"]https://plus.google....3169?banner=pwa[/url]
[/quote]


Thanks for sharing the link!

[Chiquitunga]

Wow, avvesome!!! So many wonderful pictures!! Gotta love those wool habits! Thanks for sharing!

[img]http://saints.sqpn.com/wp-content/gallery/saint-clare-of-assisi/saint-clare-of-assisi-00_0.jpg[/img]

p.s. their habit really resembles their Holy Mother from this old fresco

[emmaberry]

[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1346737433' post='2478185']
I was looking for a picture of one of the brothers at the March for Life (which I can't find...), and I found more pictures from the enclosure! [url="https://plus.google.com/photos/110561327464960550642/albums/5776949508876393169?banner=pwa"]https://plus.google....3169?banner=pwa[/url]
[/quote][quote name='Chiquitunga' timestamp='1346769346' post='2478252']
Wow, avvesome!!! So many wonderful pictures!! Gotta love those wool habits! Thanks for sharing!

[img]http://saints.sqpn.com/wp-content/gallery/saint-clare-of-assisi/saint-clare-of-assisi-00_0.jpg[/img]

p.s. their habit really resembles their Holy Mother from this old fresco
[/quote]
[quote name='Pax_et bonum' timestamp='1346737433' post='2478185']
I was looking for a picture of one of the brothers at the March for Life (which I can't find...), and I found more pictures from the enclosure! [url="https://plus.google.com/photos/110561327464960550642/albums/5776949508876393169?banner=pwa"]https://plus.google....3169?banner=pwa[/url]
[/quote]

Thank you for the pictures! I loved them. Chiquitunga is right, their veils are so much like Saint Clare's in artwork!

[Chiara Francesco]

[quote name='EmilyAnn' timestamp='1345278669' post='2469635']
That church is BEAUTIFUL! I can't quite tell, but it looks like the outside church looks at the altar straight on and the sisters are looking at the altar from the side. Which I find interesting, because my sisters are the opposite way around.



I'd guess so. My guess would be they'd visit for solemn professions and things like that, but I could be wrong.
[/quote]


I would think if they are keeping the original Rule of St. Clare and if the brothers are too, then the brothers would meet with the sisters in the parlor for talks, instructions, retreats - just as St. Francis wanted his brothers to "feed" the souls and hearts of St. Clare and her sisters in the San Damiano.

That would be wonderful if they did! To hear the brothers/priests come and speak to them of God, their lives and their Holy Father and Mother, Francis and Clare!

[ToJesusMyHeart]

Perhaps the following is not helpful, but I read the Rule of St. Clare earlier today (as fortune would have it!) and it says the following about visitors:

"CHAPTER TWELVE
THE VISITATOR, THE CHAPLAIN,
AND THE CARDINAL PROTECTOR

Let our Visitator always be taken from the Order of the Friars Minor according to the
will and command of our Cardinal. Let him be the kind of person who is well known
for his integrity and good manner of living. His duty shall be to correct any excesses
against the form of our profession, whether these be in head or in the members.
Taking his stand in a public place, that he can be seen by others, let him speak with
several and with each one concerning the matters that pertain to the duty of the visitation as he sees best.

We ask as a favor of the same Order a chaplain and a clerical companion of good reputation, of prudent discernment and two lay brothers, lovers of a holy and upright way of life, in support of our poverty, as we have always mercifully had from the aforesaid Order of Friars Minor, in light of the love of God and our Blessed Francis.

Let the chaplain not be permitted to enter the monastery without a companion. When
they enter, let them remain in an open place, in such a way that they can always see
each other and be seen by others. They may enter the enclosure for the confession of
the sick who cannot go to the parlor, for their Communion, for the Last Anointing and
the Prayers of the Dying. Suitable and sufficient outsiders may enter, moreover, according to the prudence of the Abbess, for funeral services and on the solemnity of Masses for the Dead, for digging
or opening a grave, or also for making arrangements for it.

Let the sisters be strictly bound to always have that Cardinal of the Holy Roman
Church, who has been delegated by the Lord Pope for the Friars Minor, as Governor,
Protector, and Corrector, that always submissive and subject at the feet of that holy
Church and steadfast in the Catholic faith, we may always observe the poverty and
humility of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His most holy Mother and the Holy Gospel
we have firmly promised. Amen."

Edited September 5, 2012 by ToJesusMyHeart

[emmaberry]

[quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1346810595' post='2478564']
I read the Rule of St. Clare earlier today [/quote]

Isn't her rule beautiful? I love the medieval language.

[ToJesusMyHeart]

How many different rules are there?
Clare, Francis, Augustine, Benedict...Dominic? Does Dominic have his own rule?

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1346813441' post='2478592']
How many different rules are there?
Clare, Francis, Augustine, Benedict...Dominic? Does Dominic have his own rule?
[/quote]
No, they follow the Rule of St. Augustine.

There is also the Carthusian Rule which they call Statues - [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthusian"]http://en.wikipedia....wiki/Carthusian[/url] more info, http://www.chartreux.org/en/order-today.php I'm not sure it's officially a Rule.. not called that. They do not follow any other Rule though.

edit: almost forgot Carmelites! Rule of St. Albert

Edited September 5, 2012 by Chiquitunga

[emmaberry]

[quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1346813441' post='2478592']
Does Dominic have his own rule?
[/quote]

No, sadly the Church stopped allowing people to write their own rules right after St Francis and St Clare wrote theirs-Dominicans follow the rule of Augustine, I think.

Edit: Great minds think alike, Chiquitunga.

Edited September 5, 2012 by emmaberry

[ToJesusMyHeart]

Wow!!! So St. Clare is the only female with her own rule! Crazy amesome!

[emmaberry]

[quote name='ToJesusMyHeart' timestamp='1346814752' post='2478612']
Wow!!! So St. Clare is the only female with her own rule! Crazy amesome!
[/quote]

I may have presented that incorrectly-sorry about that!

She is the first woman to write her own rule, but not the only one, although I am at a loss for the other women right now.

[Chiquitunga]

It's looks like St. Bridget has one [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02785a.htm"]http://www.newadvent...then/02785a.htm[/url]