BCU dedicates St. Clare statue

By MELISSA KOKENGE, Globe staff writer
April 13, 2006

A statue of St. Clare of Assisi was dedicated on April 8, at Briar Cliff University.

The afternoon began with Sister Joanne Schatzlein, OSF, a Franciscan scholar, speaking about the three C's of St. Clare: contemporary, contemplative and charismatic. She spoke about how St. Clare came from a noble family and made a difference in her time.

"I learned many things about the life of St. Clare and her relationship with St. Francis. I also learned about the struggles through her life and her fight to rid herself of her noble life and instead living her life in true poverty," said Mike Mefferd, a senior at Briar Cliff University.

Sister Joanne also talked about how not a lot was written about St. Clare. People in the Franciscan community didn't talk a lot about St. Clare until the 750th anniversary. Now they are discovering what an inspiration she was.

"It is so important to understand the historical moment in which St. Clare lived. Sister Joanne was able to provide that for us, giving us insights to St. Clare family life, her relationship with St. Francis, and her role in the early Franciscan movement," said Sister Mary Jane Koenigs, technical services/interlibrary loan at Briar Cliff.

Scholars are also starting to talk about her being a co-founder because she had such a great influence on Francis and his followers. After Francis' death she was the one that really kept the community together.

"St. Clare was a real person, called to live a life of total poverty despite the obstacles placed before her by her relatives and the local church hierarchy. What is inspiring about St. Clare is that even though she lived most of her life inside the walls of San Damiano, her compassion for the poor and her spiritual leadership influenced all of Europe," said Sister Mary Jane.

During Sister Joanne's speech she brought up four Briar Cliff students that were dressed in medieval clothing, who represented the family of St. Clare and St. Clare herself. The students also did some readings during the blessing of the statue outside on the piazza.

"The talk was very well done. Sister Joanne was very distinct and very simple and to the point. It was really rich," said Sister Janet May, director of campus ministry at Briar Cliff.

As soon as the speech was finished everyone was invited out to the Piazza of Stark Student Center for the dedication of St. Clare statue by Father Al McCoy. Following the dedication everyone was invited inside for an Italian-Style reception. The guests feasted on cappuccino, gelato punch, Italian pastries and hot cross buns.

"I think it was a good event with a nice turn out. It was nice to see all the students that attended as well as the sisters from Omaha make their way up," said Mike Mefferd. At 4:30 p.m. everyone was invited to attend the Palm Sunday vigil in the spirit of St. Clare at Briar Cliff University's Our Lady of Grace Chapel.

"The liturgy was especially rich, and meaningful. The reading of the passion and students who dressed as St. Clare's family just added a whole another richness," said Sister Janet May.

It was the Palm Sunday Mass where St. Clare received the olive branch from the bishop signaling her to leave her family and join St. Francis and the community. A student dressed up as St. Francis showed up at the end of the liturgy to bless St. Clare.

"I know that personally whenever I approach the entrance of Stark Student Center and see the statue of St. Clare, I will be reminded of her values and her faithful commitment to the Franciscan Way," said Sister Mary Jane.

The statue sits outside the Stark Student Center with the words from St. Clare herself under it reading: "May God be with you, and you always with God."