St. Clare’s Sacrifices and Miracles – Aug 11 – Homily – Fr Joseph Michael

 

Fr. Joseph Michael McShane gives the homily on how St. Clare of Assisi, the "little plant of St. Francis," perfectly followed Christ by giving up all worldly possessions, demonstrating profound faith through miracles like seeing Christmas Mass from her bed and saving Assisi with the Eucharist, ultimately teaching us to seek union with Christ above all else.

The homily celebrates St. Clare of Assisi, "Holy Mother St. Clare" and the "little plant of St. Francis," who perfectly followed St. Francis's example of poverty and abandonment to God. From a noble family, St. Clare dedicated her life to Christ through prayer and sacrifice, co-founding the Poor Clares.

Two key stories illustrate her faith. First, bedridden on Christmas Eve, St. Clare miraculously saw and participated in Midnight Mass from her room, leading to her patronage of television, inspiring Mother Angelica of EWTN. Second, when Saracens threatened her convent, St. Clare took the monstrance to the door; a brilliant light from the Eucharistic Host terrified the invaders, saving the nuns and Assisi. This miracle explains why she's often depicted holding a monstrance.

St. Clare's writings urge detachment from worldly things, encouraging us to cling to Christ as our source of joy. The homily links this to the Gospel's call for intimate union with Christ, like branches to the vine, to produce abundant fruit—our sanctification. Our true treasure, it reminds us, is our eternal union with Christ, not earthly possessions.

Pope Leo XIV – Francis imitated Christ's poverty by renouncing all possessions as pilgrims – https://airmaria.com/go/MFjT72
Cath Encyclopedia – Francis's life was shaped by imitating the crucified Christ's love and example – https://airmaria.com/go/Vf7sHq
Matthew 6:21 – Where your treasure is, there your heart – https://airmaria.com/go/FXdWaE
CCC 1374 – Christ truly present in the Eucharist – https://airmaria.com/go/FcpPZ7
CCC 2544 – Poverty of heart for heavenly treasure – https://airmaria.com/go/vHbUmM

00:00 - Introduction to St. Clare and Her Title
00:49 - St. Clare's Vocation and the Founding of the Poor Clares
02:06 - The Miracle of Midnight Mass: St. Clare, Patroness of Television
03:52 - The Eucharistic Miracle: St. Clare Defends Assisi
05:35 - St. Clare's Wisdom: Detachment and Clinging to Christ
05:54 - Gospel Reflection: Union with Christ, the Vine and Branches
06:31 - Final Exhortation: Our True Treasure is Union with Christ

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Clare of Assisi - Feast - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=215
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081126.cfm
1st: Hosea 2:16, 17, 21-22 - Lord and Israel His Spouse
Resp: Psalms 45:11-12, 14-16 - A Song for the King's Marriage
2nd: 2 Corinthians 4:6-10, 16-18 - Renewal Amid Afflictions
Gsp: John 15:4-10 - Vine and the Branches

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=695

Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM6ZVtHVglQ