The "Door of the Dead" was blocked with many stones and beams of woods. This infamous door was only used when the dead body of a family member was removed from the house, never to be seen again. Little did the sleeping family members know that this night the one in whom so much hope was placed, the one whose beauty was unparalleled, and the one whose future they carefully planned would "die" a noble death.

Clare (whose name means "light"), the prized eighteen year old daughter of the illustrious Offreduccio's, was to die this night to the world and begin her life anew in Christ. This night would prove to be the night of her Nuptials and the Bridegroom - Jesus Christ - was perfect in every way. This night she would leave the wealth of the world for the poverty that would enrich her soul and a myriad of other souls.

This desire to give herself completely to God began when the Lady Clare saw a strange little man singing and begging for stones so that he might rebuild the Church of San Damiano. He was jeered at, but remained joyful. He was poor, yet seemed so rich. He was in love with Love.

Saint Bonaventure's description of Saint Francis of Assisi sheds light on precisely why even the sight of this little man was enough to inspire a promising young noble lady to abandon a life of ease and pleasure for a life of penance and poverty:  "Aroused by all things to the love of God, Saint Francis rejoiced in all the works of the Lord's Hands and from these joy-producing manifestations, he rose to their life-giving principle and cause. In beautiful things he saw Beauty Itself and through his vestiges imprinted on creation he followed his Beloved everywhere, making all things a ladder by which he could climb up and embrace Him Who is utterly desirable."

It was not only the example of Francis that aroused in the Lady Clare the desire to imitate him, but also his words which were so filled with love for God.  She had the opportunity to listen to a series of Lenten sermons preached by this troubadour of Christ.  His love for the Passion of Christ lit a flame of love within her own soul.  It was then that she sought an opportunity to speak with Francis.  

Francis gazed at Clare, for the purity of her soul shone in the light of her eyes. With words that proved to be prophetic, the little man said: "You will have to know how to die." The girl pondered his words, then replied: "What do you mean?" Then came the words that were forever inscribed upon her heart: "On the Cross with Christ." Thus the seed was planted within the soul of Saint Clare . . . she became the Little Plant of this Blessed Father.

So it came to be that on Palm Sunday night, the noble girl removed the barriers of the "Door of Death" with knightly strength and bare hands, stone by stone and beam by beam, until at last she reached the bolted door. Her final burst of strength was enough to remove the bolt and the door swung open, free at last. The Lady Clare jumped out of the "Door of the Dead" and thus began the journey that was destined to be a source of light and hope for countless virgins, who would leave all to seek the Divine Bridegroom.

She, who was later known as the "Footprint of the Blessed Virgin Mary", ran with light step and swift pace to the Portiuncula, the Chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli or Saint Mary of the Angels. This tiny Chapel, which was the beloved dwelling of the Friars and held a very special place in the heart of Our Seraphic Father Saint Francis, was so named because once as four pilgrims passed by that spot, they heard the voices of Angels singing the praises of the Mother of God and her Son.

At the entrance of this blessed Chapel, two Friars or "Knights of Lady Poverty" awaited her with lighted torches. The Lady Clare reverently entered the holy place, where she found the Friars singing the divine praises.  As she entered, they intoned the Veni Creator Spiritus. And indeed the Holy Spirit did descend in a powerful way on that most glorious night.

The beauty of Clare's attire and jewels was overshadowed by the beauty of her heart and soul. She knelt with great piety at the Altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Mercy. The Lady Clare was divested of her earthly gems and jewels, in order to be adorned with the precious ornaments that endure unto Eternity: Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience.

Her plush and extravagant embroidered gown was replaced by a coarse tunic. Around her waist was fastened a cord of rough rope and she was divested of her fine satin shoes. Then the humble Francis cut off the platinum locks of hair that adorned the valiant virgin. These locks fell to the floor in such abundance that the ground was covered by what appeared to be spun gold. Finally the long-awaited white veil of chastity covered her shorn head. Over this was placed the coarse black veil of penance.

Such was the beautiful beginning of the Poor Ladies, which would later be known as the Poor Clares. Francis and Clare began on that night an Order that was destined to be a light for all ages. The Divine Bridegroom of the Poor Ladies is the true Hero in this story, along with His noble Mother Mary. They have increased and protected the Order and will continue to do so, even until the end of time.

The Lord has given many proofs that He is the Defender of this Order.  Once the Poor Ladies were in dire need of protection, for a fierce battle was raging just outside the enclosure wall. Saint Clare knelt in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Immediately upon completion of her prayer, the enemy retreated and the voice of a Child answered from the Sacred Host: "I will always watch over you."
 
 The life of all those who follow in the footsteps of Saint Clare are filled with security and peace, for we know that the Divine Child dwells among us in the Most Blessed Sacrament and He will always defend us.

With freedom of soul and simplicity of spirit, we are able to contemplate the truth and wisdom contained in the words of our Seraphic Mother Saint Clare:
 
"Happy, indeed, is she to whom it is given to share this Sacred Banquet, to cling with all her heart to Him Whose beauty all the Heavenly Hosts admire unceasingly, Whose love inflames our love, Whose contemplation is our refreshment, Whose graciousness is our joy, Whose gentleness fills us to overflowing, Whose remembrance brings a gentle light, Whose fragrance will revive the dead, Whose glorious vision will be the happiness of all the citizens of the Heavenly Jerusalem."

As faithful daughters of Saint Clare, we echo the words of the Royal Psalmist David:  "There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the House of the Lord all the days of my life, to savor the sweetness of the Lord, to behold His Temple" (Psalm 26:4).

What do you want to be when you grow up?

The answers to this question can be as many as the stars in the sky. Some may want to be doctors or firemen, while others may want to be scientists or teachers. And although there are many different careers to choose from, everybody can answer this question with the same answer:  

WHEN I GROW UP,  

I WANT TO BE A SAINT!  

And really, to accomplish this goal, you don’t have to wait until you grow up ... you can begin now! “But Jesus called the children to Him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs’” (Luke 18:16).
 
 
A saint is someone totally in love with God. When you strive to love God above all things, then holiness is within your reach. And holiness is the the summit of the mountain, for to be holy is to be like Jesus. Now that the ultimate goal of your life can be seen (your call to holiness), let's ask the Father to show you what He wants from you.   
A career is different than a vocation. There are many careers, but only a few different vocations. Basically there are three: the priesthood/religious life, marriage, and consecrated singlehood. Each vocation is a gift from the Eternal Father and a call to holiness. The Lord leads every soul along a different path to the same Goal.  All are called to climb the mountain of holiness ... but by which path are you called to climb?

This is a good question to ask the Lord during your time of prayer: "Lord, what path am I to climb to reach the goal? What vocation have You given me? Grant that I may be open to Your Will for my life."

It is not for you to choose what vocation you would prefer, but rather to accept the gift that  you have been given by the Eternal Father. Indeed a vocation is a very great gift from God. Ask the Lord not only for the grace to know your vocation but also for the grace to respond to this gift with generosity and love.

Many young girls write to us and explain that they feel called to be a nun at a very young age. Perhaps you too have heard His “still, small voice” calling you to consecrate your life to Him, but are still too young to enter a monastery. What can you do to prepare your heart for the great day of union between bride and Bridegroom (and truly that is what the life of a a nun is all about for she is a bride of Christ)?

There are many different ways to prepare your soul for the religious life. Saint Thérèse received her call to the religious life at a young age. She used the time before entering the monastery as a period of preparation. She made the resolution to spend this time in such a way that her soon-to-be Bridegroom would be very pleased.  

Saint Thérèse knew that denying herself for the sake of Christ was pleasing to Him, and so she set about doing this in very little ways: “My mortifications consisted in breaking my will - always so ready to impose itself on others - in holding back a reply, in rendering little services without any recognition, in not leaning my back against a support when seated, etc., etc. It was through the practice of these nothings that I prepared myself to become the fiancée of Jesus, and I cannot express how much this waiting left me with sweet memories.”  And so it can be with you. 

Obedience to your parents, spending time talking with the Lord each day, faithfulness to your duties, smiling when you are tired, helping your little brother with his homework, taking out the garbage cheerfully, praying the rosary daily — all of these "little things" will prepare your soul for the religious life.

Entrust your vocation to Our Lady, asking her to preserve your resolution to give yourself totally to God. Our sweet Mother always said “yes” to God, may she help you to say “yes” to Him.  May you repeat Our Lady's words with every beat of your heart: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me as you have said."

When it comes to your vocation, do you find yourself in a land of confusion. What does God want from me? What are His plans for my life?   Perhaps you have heard a “still, small voice” in your heart and wonder if you are called to the religious life. Maybe you are experiencing a certain amount of shrinking back — overwhelmed with a sense of fear and a feeling of unworthiness. If so, then take heart and "Be Not Afraid."  

Launch out into the deep — seeking God’s Will and not stopping at anything short. Indeed, you will need much courage to accomplish His Will … but the youth of the 3rd Millennium lack neither courage nor valor. You have what it takes to not only be good religious, but also to be great saints!

There are several steps to take when discerning God’s Will regarding your vocation. The first step is to recognize that every vocation is a gift from God. In particular, a calling to the religious life is an unmerited gift from God. A gift that leads the soul to abandon all things and follow Christ. Every one of us are called to respond to God's choice, to accept His gift.  

After recognizing that a vocation is a gift from God, abandonment to Divine Providence is necessary. Through Eucharistic adoration, this trusting abandonment blossoms into a great peace of soul. There, in the Most Blessed Sacrament, you can find your Teacher, your Guide, your Savior — totally given over to the Father’s Will. Humble and hidden, our Omnipotent God waits for you in this Sacrament of His Love. The mystery of the Holy Eucharist houses the very heart of a vocation to the religious life. The Son of Man, we read in the Gospels, came not to be served but to serve. And so Our Eucharistic King is the great Exemplar for every religious — a selfless existence, totally given over to the Father.

After abandoning yourself to Divine Providence, listen to God’s reply. And reply He will. Probably not audibly, but the Word will speak to your heart. Often you may not be able to totally grasp all that He is saying, but still the Spirit moves your heart to seek a better understanding, to seek the fulfillment of this Word. And this leads to the next step of this vocational journey — seeking spiritual direction.

Like Saint Paul on the road to Damascus, you may feel as though you have been thrown off your horse and blinded by God’s Eternal Light. But He will not leave you to languish in confusion. Rather the Lord often uses other people to heal your blindness and lead you to understanding. Ananias was the instrument chosen to aid Saint Paul … who shall it be for you? Competent spiritual direction is absolutely necessary when discerning a vocation.

And then, of course, there is one more step. Through this active discernment, perhaps it was decided that indeed you do have a vocation to the religious life — now what? This next step demands a total reliance on grace, for alone you would never be able to walk on. It is the moment when you must give your consent, your acceptance of this gift of God. Yes, this is the moment of truth: the moment of the great fiat: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.” And though this is the final step for the discernment process, it is but the first step in a great adventure.  

If you are interested in obtaining a list of traditional women's religious orders, please write to us:  
Vocation Directress
3222 County Road 548
Hanceville, AL 35077

For more information regarding orthodox men's religious orders, visit the the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word.  

We live in the shadow of a very dark age of history, an age that asks with Pilate: “What is truth?” The silent witness of a religious answers this question without speaking a single word. Their very existence in the heart of the Church cries out: Jesus Christ is TRUTH. Those consecrated to God are to be rays of His Light.