Novena to St. Clare of Assisi

Day 2

10 min

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Novena to St. Clare of Assisi

Opening prayer:

O glorious St. Clare, mirror of holy poverty and bride of Christ, you left all things to follow the poor and crucified Lord. Draw my heart away from the passing things that weigh it down, and teach me to gaze, as you did, upon the face of Jesus. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 2: Love of Lady Poverty

Clare so loved poverty that she begged the Pope for the 'privilege of poverty,' the right to own nothing at all, and defended it against popes who wished to soften her Rule. Following Francis, she embraced Lady Poverty as a bride embraces her beloved, trusting Providence for daily bread. She teaches that the soul empty of possessions has room for the riches of God alone, and that nothing held tightly can ever be received as gift.

O St. Clare, lover of holy poverty, who clung to Christ alone and found Him riches enough, obtain for me a heart free of grasping, content with what God gives, that emptied of vain things I may be filled with His abundance. Amen.

Today's intention:

For freedom from greed and a spirit content with God alone.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

St. Clare, who held the Blessed Sacrament before the enemy and saw your sisters delivered, hold me before your Lord and shield me in every danger of soul and body. Obtain for me the grace I now implore, and a heart wholly given to Christ as yours was. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.