Daily Reading for August 11 • Clare, Abbess of Assisi, 1253
I, Clare, a handmaid of Christ, a little plant of our most holy father Francis, a sister and mother of you and the other poor sisters, although unworthy, beg our Lord Jesus Christ through his mercy and the intercession of his most holy Mother Mary and of blessed Michael the Archangel and of all the holy angels of God, of our blessed father Francis, and of all men and women saints, that the heavenly Father give you and confirm for you this most holy blessing in heaven and on earth: on earth, by multiplying you in grace and his virtues among his servants and handmaids in his Church Militant; in heaven, by exalting you and glorifying you among his holy men and women in his Church Triumphant.
I bless you during my life and after my death, as I am able, out of all the blessings, with which the Father of mercies has blessed and will bless his sons and daughters in heaven and on earth and a spiritual father and mother have blessed and will bless their spiritual sons and daughters. Amen.
Always be lovers of your souls and those of all your sisters. And may you always be eager to observe what you have promised the Lord.
May the Lord always be with you and may you always be with him. Amen.
From the final blessing of Clare of Assisi, quoted in The Lady: Clare of Assisi: Early Documents, translated and edited by Regis J. Armstrong (New York: New City Press, 2006).