The House of Clare: Taking Hold of the Hidden Treasure

In honor of the Year of St. Francis, we invite you on this retreat to step into the House of Clare and stay awhile.
It was at San Damiano, on the outskirts of the city of Assisi, during the time of armed battles and powerful vendettas, that Clare became a woman of spiritual depth, persistence and unwavering courage in the face of challenge. What might we draw from Clare at the 13th century San Damiano for our chaotic times?
On this retreat, we will:
- Consider the physicality of space and grace, that is, how Clare created a life at San Damiano in a house with – doors, windows and a floor, a hearth and a table, and a garden — where mutual love and healing, depth and divine encounter became highly possible. She learned the house was physically limiting, but spiritually porous.
- See how Clare opened and closed many doors until at San Damiano she opened the door to an unimaginable future, then reflect on what many doors we have opened and closed, and where we find ourselves now.
- Go deeper, by looking into the windows of Clare’s life, at the hearth where she fixed the anchor of her soul and ask how we get in touch with our deepest desires, and at the table, where she scribed letters and her Form of life, asking who shares our deepest desires and what we are willing to struggle and suffer for.
- Celebrate Clare’s Transitus, passing into eternal life, and see how the floor was Clare’s place of travel, grounded, following in the footsteps of Christ.
- Reflect on inspirations from Clare’s garden, Francis’ great Canticle of the Creatures and his Canticle of Advice to the Ladies of San Damiano to “Listen . . .”
This retreat offers spaces for silence, inspiration of Clare, meditation, journaling, some small group sharings, quiet walks in gardens and hills, a deep listening to the Spirit.
We will begin with a welcome reception on Monday, August 10 at 5:00, and conclude Wednesday, August 12th, after Eucharist, with lunch at noon.