O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us, we pray thee, from an inordinate love of this world, that, inspired by the devotion of thy servant Clare, we may serve thee with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.
Yes, Clare of Assisi is worthy of veneration as one who lived a life of heroic sanctity, along with her friend, the more famous Francis of Assisi. I once lived in and worked at an evangelical retreat center in Newport News, VA, that had bought a convent that had been used by nuns of the order of Poor Clares. That completely cloistered order was dedicated to 24/7 prayer and had kept up a ceaseless round of adoration and intercession for 50 years in that place. Then the nuns relocated to a much more remote and quieter spot out in rural VA, where they continue their faithful commitment to the Franciscan way of life to this day.
But may I be so bold as to suggest that for us Anglicans, it is even more important to remember another even greater saint on this day? Although he is a very controversial and polarizing figure in Anglican history, I submit that August 11th is a day when Anglicans around the globe should remember and give thanks for the amazing life and witness of one of the greatest Anglican theologians, preachers, and reformers of all time, who died on this day in 1890. I’m speaking, of course, of John Henry Newman, who spent the first half of his life as an Anglican (1801-1845), and the second half as a Roman Catholic (1845-1890). Appointed the Vicar of he University Church at Oxford (St. Mary the Virgin) at the young age of 27, Newman’s matchless Parochial and Plain Sermons are (IMHO) the most inspiring and challenging sermons ever preached by an Anglican. Ignatius Press has produced a splendid one-volume edition of all 288 of these classic sermons that is a treasure beyond price. If any Anglo-Catholics reading T19 don’t own a copy, then make haste, “sell all thou hast,” and buy it.
For the faithful, exemplary lives of both Clare of Assisi and Newman of Oxford, thanks be to God!
David Handy+