Francis and Clare

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Throughout our time on the pilgrimage we have been learning about the lives of Francis and Clare.  Fr. John is well versed on Francis and Sr. Kathy on Clare.  Their devotion to the saints is palpable.  I have learned a great deal about these two saints – their families, the time in which they lived and their call to God.  Each is remarkable in his/her own way.

Francis came out of war and being a prisoner of war clearly wounded; he became a wounded healer believing passionately that we must be intimate with Christ.  This intimacy includes his enormous love and belief in people living the gospel.  Clare shared this ardent belief in knowing Christ in all living things.

With such short study, I have had but a glimpse of who they were but have a deeper understanding of their commitment to sacrifice and reverence as well as a better understanding of the Franciscans.