For the sake of passion Part 1

 

 Few have heard the tale of the Rebel Nuns of the Amalfi Coast, and fewer still might seek to see the ironic connection to the current pope and his namesake, the great Saint Francis of Assisi.  I find the connection haunting considering the current state of the scandalized church.

We begin where we must.

Assisi, approximately 1210. A young Chiara Offrediccio (Saint Claire) heard the words of Francesco di Assisi, a passionate young friar who would later become known as Saint Francis.  Always rebellious of marriage, Claire gave her life to the church and followed in Francis' ministry to such an effect as to later become an Abbess in her own order.  (The poor Claire nuns as they are known today)

When Claire and her sister Agnes took their vows, much to the anger of their father who threatened to steal them away from their ministry, by force! Francis had his monks build a dwelling next to the Church of San Damiano in order to protect them.  

Such was the passion of a young St. Francis as to not only evoke the fire of passion within the many toward a greater glory, but also to carry the impassioned into full expression and maturation of their respective vocation such that if it meant sacrifice and protection for the fellow devoted soul, he was all in!

Well known even then, was Claires adoration toward Francis and likewise, his devotion to her in return. They shared a frequent correspondence regarding matters of charity and theology as well as each of their ministries.  Though they seldom met in person, on the rare occasion they did it was said they were as shy as adoring children.  In one another's presence they would not speak directly even when dining.

Without hesitation, Francis was always quick to respond with action when Claire had a need of something for her ministry and likewise Claire to Francis for words of wisdom, consolation or a reminder of their shared vision of love eternal. Claire once wrote to Francis while sitting before a sunset one evening:

"Francis, we share the true relationship. Many couples live together under one roof and never share what we know together. Sure I miss sometimes not having more time with you in the small moments of life. Then I think of most couples living with one another day after day, but so separate from each other in their thoughts and feelings. Francis, we have fallen in love again and again landing in the great heart, the garden that extends forever. The eternity we know is the true poetry of life."

Beautiful!

And though they both took a vow of poverty and chastity (and never looked back) they entered into the large soul in perfect unison.  With great love, God would lay a spiritual desire on Claires heart, she spoke the word to her beloved Francis and he acted upon it not with words but with action, wisdom and guidance and a deep protection for her.

I dare say that there was something conjugal about the giving and receiving they shared. Within the confines of their ministry and vocation there was a procreative nature  in their mutual desire to come together (with God) and infuse the world with more love. So rich was their spiritual spousalship that they left behind a physical legacy of their love within the practice of faith which each left behind.

AND SO....

On a hilltop in Amalfi Italy, the Monastery of Santa Chiara (Saint Claire) which was built  shortly after her death still stands.  Under the development  of the Monastery the town has thrived!  The Poor Claire Sisters have made artisan Limoncello, ran a hotel and tirelessly provided for and served the town for nearly a thousand years.  

But in 2022 the sisters were asked to leave.  They were powerless and had nowhere to turn.  They had taken their vow to live and die in service to the Monastery. Many nuns had lived there nearly their entire lives.  Where would they turn?  And here's where the irony comes in: The only person who had the power to turn the tide and could so easily with one signature was the Pope himself.  That's right Pope Francis, who chose the papal title of Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, was now handed a request by the ministry descendant's of his beloved Saint Claire...

To be continued on next post....