September is nearly here, which means school is back in session. In the month of August we celebrated St. Clare of Assisi Feast Day. Believe it or not, St. Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of televisions and computer screens. In 1958, Pope Pius XII deemed Clare the patron saint of television because at times she was too ill to attend Mass, but she was able to see and hear it on the TV in her room.
An early follower of St. Francis, Clare founded The Order of Poor Ladies, which eventually became known as the Poor Clares. Clare of Assisi was only 18 years old when she decided to give up a life of wealth and luxury to embrace a life of holiness and poverty. St. Francis’ devoted love for God touched her so deeply, and she aspired to learn from him how to live a life according to the Holy Gospel as well. Her story is truly inspiring, and so are the lessons she leaves behind to share with us.
As our children are welcomed back to school to learn and grow yet another year, it is our hope that the love with which St. Clare composed each of these words will carry with us at the start of this new school season.
1. We become what we love.
“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become. If we love things, we become a thing. If we love nothing, we become nothing. Imitation is not a literal mimicking of Christ, rather it means becoming the image of the beloved, an image disclosed through transformation.” -St. Clare of Assisi
2. Love God, serve God; everything is in that. -St. Clare of Assisi
3. What you do, may you do and never abandon.
“What you hold, may you always hold. What you do, may you do and never abandon. But with swift pace, light step, unswerving feet, so that even your steps stir no dust, go forward securely, joyfully, and swiftly, on the path of prudent happiness, believing nothing agreeing with nothing which would dissuade you from this resolution or which would place a stumbling block for you on the way, so that you may offer your vows to the Most High in the pursuit of that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.” -St. Clare of Assisi
4. Let your service be according to reason.
“Our body is not made of iron. Our strength is not that of stone. Live and hope in the Lord, and let your service be according to reason.” -St. Clare of Assisi
Education, combined with integration of societal and family life values, is the cornerstone to success. The Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land exists to provide critical, life-sustaining opportunities to Christians in the Holy Land. One of the pillars of the Foundation’s mission is to support access to education for young people. Investing in education for deserving young Christian scholars in the Holy Land, ultimately leads to economic advancement and stability as more Christians can afford to remain in the Holy Land. Supporting even one child’s education can impact generations of our brothers and sisters who are able to remain in the Holy Land.
