Papal Nuncio joins Poor Clares’ celebration

THE Poor Clare Sisters welcomed the Papal Nuncio, Most Rev Archbishop Charles J Brown, to Ennis last weekend. He joined them in the celebration of the feast day of their founder, St Clare of Assisi.

His Excellency presided at evening prayer and a simple ceremony of the Transitus of St Clare in the monastery chapel on the vigil of the feast – an intimate setting where the final hours of St Clare’s life were recalled and celebrated.
On Sunday morning, His Excellency was chief celebrant at the 7.45am mass, along with concelebrants Fr Liam Kelly, OFM Guardian of the Ennis Fraternity, Fr Caoimhin O Laoide, OFM and Fr Tom Hogan, administrator in the Ennis parish.

According to Sr Gabrielle Murphy of the Poor Clare Sisters in Ennis, “The Papal Nuncio’s homily was well received by the sisters, who heard him speak with great familiarity and appreciation of St Clare’s gift or charism to the church. This charism is as relevant for our Church today as it was in the time of St Clare over 800 years. The mass was well attended and the congregation had the surprise and privilege of meeting with the Papal Nuncio at the end of mass. It was truly a privilege to have his presence among us.”