Another week in the books and we’re one holy showdown closer to the Elate Eight. Today’s matchup is giving family feud, but make it saintly.
It’s sister vs. brother, blessed vs. beloved, hospitalers vs. holiness heavyweights
Clare of Assisi vs Blessed Gerard
Will the founder of the Knights of St. John, yes those legends of Malta and the original ambulance crew 🚑, need to call in backup for Clare? Or will the Franciscan faithful and Clare’s cloistered crew quietly and prayerfully carry her straight into the Elate Eight?
Meanwhile, Archbishop Janani Luwum has already punched his ticket, sending Fr. Damien off to an early offseason with a final score of 69.75% to 30.25%. Somewhere, Damien is catching waves and wondering what could have been.
Only one spot left today. Only one advances.
Vote now. Choose wisely. Brag loudly.
Clare of Assisi
St. Clare of Assisi lived a life of extreme poverty in pursuit of closeness with Christ, but that didn’t stop her from living a rich and eventful life. Quite the contrary; her commitment to living out her faith in her way of extreme austerity made her a pioneer, as the first woman to write a set of monastic guidelines. Her order, known colloquially as the “Poor Clares” continues to this day. It was founded in 1212.
Through a few of her extant letters to St. Agnes of Prague (and the monastic rule itself), Clare has left us with some valuable (if challenging — when it came to life in general, Clare loved a challenge) wisdom.
“Love that does not know of suffering is not worthy of the name,” is one quote that simultaneously feels true, hard to swallow, and quintessential Clare.
St. Clare was a follower of Assisi’s other (more) famous saint, Francis, from a very young age, and became a nun in part as a way to put a firm end to her aristocrat father’s attempt to marry her off. She went on to take very seriously her role as the spouse of the crucified Christ, and her letters to St. Agnes reflect on the immense privilege of that role — one which they shared. In the closing of her first letter to Agnes she writes poetically,
“What a great laudable exchange
to leave the things of time for those of eternity,
to choose the things of heaven for the goods of earth,
to receive the hundred-fold in place of one,
and to possess a blessed and eternal life.”
In his book Franciscans at Prayer, author Timothy Johnson extrapolates on such observations of Clare to Agnes, and his words are frequently attributed to St. Clare herself on the internet. And no wonder; reflecting on Clare’s words, he sums up perhaps the greatest call and biggest challenge of life as a Christian in a society constantly calling us in a million directions.
“We become what we love,” Johnson writes, “and what we love shapes who we become.”
— Marissa Flaxbart
Blessed Gerard
One of the first songs I learned when I joined the Episcopal Church says, “For the Saints of God are just folk like me.” Blessed Gérard was blessedly human. He was at work building up the hospital of the Order of St. John in the Old City of Jersusalm at the start of the Crusades. As a lay Benedictine brother, we don’t know whether he had a choice to support this effort or not because of his vows. What we do know, however, is that how he supported the people in front of him was that those who came to the hospital, whom he insisted always be greeted with “Our Lords, the Sick,” regardless of disfigurement, religion, or gender and it became policy that the Hospital of St. John was radically hospitable in a truly violent time.
Not only was the Hospitaller of the Order of St. John known widely at the time because of the care which was given with such grace at the direction of Gérard, it was also granted a special Papal canonical consolidation in the solemn bull "Pie postulatio voluntatis" by Pope Paschal II in the year 1113. In it, not only is Gérard praised by name, he was also granted full control of all funds and possessions. The Church entrusts the funds to Gérard, but also to his legacy, “we confirm them to you and to your successors, who shall devote themselves with pious zeal to the cares of hospitality, and through you to the said Hospital in perpetuity,” the rare bull reads.
After his death, René Aubert Vertôt said of Gérard that he was a “father of the poor and pilgrims,” and that of his long, faithful life, “one can say he fell away like a fruit ripe for eternity.” To this day, Blessed Gérard’s impact is felt centuries later as the work of the Order of St. John continues, and its mission remains essentially unchanged from Gérard’s lips: “pro fide - pro utilitate hominum.” For the faith - In the service of humanity.
About 1,000 years later, the radical hospitality in another globally violent time is a powerful witness, because the saints of God are just folk like us. I’m deeply grateful for our Blessed Gérard and for the ongoing work of the St. John’s Ambulance.
May God grant us all the faith of Blessed Gérard.
— Becca Kello
37 comments on “Clare of Assisi vs. Blessed Gerard”
I'm glad that Clare had the opportunity to pray and live in the manner of her choosing, but today my vote goes to the builder of hospitals in a war zone, providing health care to all regardless of faith or nationality.
I had to vote for a builder of hospitals and because Saints of God is one of my favorite hymns. Clare deserves the vote but the one that goes out and helps the needy in such a big way got my vote.
Damien was an answer on Jeopardy yesterday. Yay Lent Madness for the education.
Some other reasons, but also always .. Blessed Gerard in honor of my favorite "Doctor" and the St John Ambulance roundel on my blue office door.
I am a member of a Franciscan community so I can't not vote for Saint Clare.
In this increasingly violent world we need a radical hospitality that serves all regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender and sexuality. My vote goes to Gerard for his generous, radical care of all.
Clare in honor of our church, St. Clare of Assisi, and our nearby lake St. Clair
You don't make it easy, do you? This morning, I chose Clare because I have loved and admired her for most of my not-quite-89 years, and Gerard swam into my ken only last week. Were it possible, I would have split my vote between these two more-than-worthy saints.
"Clare's cloistered crew" - clever, SEC. 🙂
The priest whose writings I most admire in my church is a Franciscan. I cast my vote for Clare, though once again, I wouldn't be unhappy if Gerard moved forward.
I enjoy and am uplifted by the animated comments of the Supreme Executive Committee.
I voted for Gérard and radical hospitality. Our lords and ladies the sick, homeless, rejected, and displaced are still crying out for recognition, succor, and justice. We should help them. And we’re allowed to eat while doing so. We may be the fruit of heaven, and that’s a lovely image. But fruit (and grains and fish and so forth) here on earth are to sustain our bodies. How can we break bread with the Other if we never let ourselves eat? If we’re going to feast in heaven with the martyrs and saints, we ought to practice first. Here’s for the Hospitaller.
There's no comparing these two. Bl. Gerard's influence is still mighty.
I voted for Gerard since I believe we need to cultivate the “Kingdom on Earth” and not just focus on the “Kingdom in Heaven”. Gerard does that with his service to those who are ill or wounded. His gifts of hospitality are given to all and that’s a plus!
I went with the Assisi crew today. I have to give a nod to my favorite saint. St. Francis.
I've known about Clare of Assisi for years, but before this Lent Madness I had never heard of Blessed Gerard. I went back to the original post to refresh myself on the details of his life, and this sentence was what won my vote today: God does not call the equipped, but equips the called. Thanks, God. By the way, Becca Kello, what happened to: His feast day is on October 13th, and you can celebrate that by eating bread, but more on that next time?
…next, next time? I forgot that the miracles were in the Elate Eight not the Saintly Sixteen!
Then let's hope Blessed Gerard gets there! (Although I cheated and looked up the story of the bread online... but for those of you who haven't voted yet today, vote for Blessed Gerard so Becca can tell all of us about it: it's worth it!)
Lady of the Livestream
I must cast my vote for Clare today; in todays world of chaos and polarity, so many choose to be loud. Clare chose a more quiet approach. She reminds me that first we must "be" before we can "do." She inspires this busy lay leader to stop, be in the presence with my Jesus, and listen always.
Gerard got my vote for being an unconditional doer of kindness and healing. I have a feeling his life in many ways was pared to the basics as was Clare's.
I like what I've learned of Gerard, but having served in a parish dedicated to Francis, with pictures of both Clare and Francis in the chancel, this was an easy call for me.
Gerard gets my vote. All wars are unjust. There are no politics in loving care for those affected.We need to leave judgement behind and let love of those who suffer propel our efforts
Bombs are falling throughout the Middle East, and Jerusalem is not immune. Today, even more than in the past, the work of Blessed Gerard is crucial. Medical professionals, hospitals, mobile clinics and treatment centres face multiple dangers in a war zone, but are absolutely necessary. Gerard was the first to implement this kind of “radical hospitality” and he won’t be the last. Kudos to organisations such as the St. John’s Ambulance, Red Cross and Red Crescent whose staff work tirelessly during times of war to help the sick and injured.
Beautiful as this profile of St Clare is, it fails to mention that she's also the patron saint of live television, media and video, etc. While ill, she witnessed a ceremony she was unable to attend in person. This gives her superior divine powers and puts her out front celestially.
"Our Lords, the Sick" -- regardless -- influenced my vote. My husband suffered for 15 years before he died; how he was regarded and treated mattered. Besides, I taught at St John's University and am ministered to by St John (albeit the Baptist) Church.
Care for all who are ill - Go Gerard!
I was very annoyed that we did not "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God" on all saints day at my parish this year 🙁
I am persuaded to vote for Blessed Gerard because he served others. I admire Clare’s life of devotion. However it seemed to be self serving.
Impossible to decide so I figured I would go with Blessed Gérard for his dedication to wartime hospitals and the (even today) radical care of everyone; “pro fide - pro utilitate hominum”, indeed.
Having just gotten out of hospital where I was given the most wonderful care, I cannot but vote for Blessed Gerard. Our lord called on us to care for the sick, Gerard took up that call, selflessly.
(By the way, I do love Francis but Claire is not Francis)
I think I have voted for Clare in the past because she did so much good but today I am voting for Blessed Gerard. I spent my career working in hospitals and now that I am old I am once again frequently around hospitals and their staff. I commend Gerard for striving to make hospitals places of love and care back when those were hard to come by.
I came to vote for Clare, who has the lead as I write, but switched to Gerard upon reading and reflection. Those who provide care to the sick without judgment, who carry the witness of our last mortal breath, deserve a special place in this world and beyond ( also I had a great phlebotomist at the hospital today, a blessing ).
I can still sing almost every word of "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God" and loved when i could put another name to a description. I especially loved meeting saints at tea, like my mother and grandmother. So I am with Gerard today.