Carlo's Thoughts: THE HEART AND THE CROSS: THE LIFE OF ST. CLARE OF THE CROSS OF MONTEFALCO, OSA (PART 2)

The oldest portrait of St. Clare of the Cross, OSA

The Life of St. Clare inside the hermitage

Clare began to be very obedient to the rules inside the hermitage. There are seven rules to follow by the sisters in the community and Clare was very obedient to them. What are these rules? 1. Their minds must always be focused on God; 2. Never look at a man straight in the eye so that they may preserve their chastity; 3. Be obedient to their Superiors; 4. Observe Holy Silence at all times; 5. Avoid any imperfections; 6. Humble themselves by reflection; and 7. Never eat meat or any food that would delight their taste. Some of it are very hard to follow but Clare obediently obeyed them as a sign of sacrifice and love for the Lord.

One evening, Giovanna woke up at midnight to pray at the oratory, Giovanna asked Clare to accompany her in prayer and told her to sit in one of the chairs in the oratory until Giovanna gives her the permission to leave. Another evening, Giovanna woke up at midnight to pray and Clare accompanied her as usual. After praying, Giovanna forgot to give permission to Clare who was still sitting in the oratory because her Sister did not gave her the permission to leave. That is one example of Clare's obedience.

Clare became obedient also to her sisters in the monastery especially during collection of food and alms outside the hermitage. When asking for alms, she wears a habit made from wool that the sisters wear when not doing their chores.

Clare also lived a life of sacrifice. When Clare was twelve years old, she walks inside the hermitage barefooted. During the late hours of the night, while her sisters are asleep, she flogs herself sometimes until she's severely wounded. She sleeps on the floor even though she has a bed or sometimes she would sleep on a chair while resting her head against the wall. She always fast, like for example she eats only a small portion of bread at consumes tasteless soup and drinks water only. Clare performs this act of penance to that she could be very close to God and to imitate also the sufferings of Christ that caused our salvation.

One time, Clare violated the rule of the grand silence of the hermitage when she talked to their mother, Iacopa without the permission of her Sister Giovanna. She made penance by walking barefooted in the snow and prayed one hundred "Our Fathers".

Clare also wants to see and experience the Passion of the Lord. During the canonical hours when the Divine Office is said, she sees the passion of the Lord. The following are the timeline of what part of the Passion St. Clare sees: