Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception
Foundress
Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus
|
Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus ((Libania Do Carmo Galvao Mexia De Maura Telles Albuquerque) was born in a noble family on June 15, 1843, in Lisbon. Libania was the daughter of Nuno Tomas de Mascarenhas Galvao Mexia de Moura Teles e Albuquerque and Maria da Purificacao Sa Ferreira.
Orphaned at the age of fourteen, she entered the boarding school and was later looked after by the Marchioness, a friend of her parents. The cry of those with nothing and with nobody, challenged her.
|
To respond to this cry, she entered the Convent of St. Patrick and there exchanged her luxurious dresses for a simple habit of a religious, receiving the name of Sr. Maria Clara of the Child Jesus. She was professed on April 14, 1871, at a solemn ceremony, presided over by Fr. Raimundo dos Anjos Beirao, who encouraged and directed her. Maria Clara assumed the office of Superior of all the Sisters who had pronounced their vows with her. Thus, on May 3, 1871, was born the Congregation of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Poor for the Love of God and, later called the Portuguese Hospitaller Sisters and, today is known as Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.
Due to political situation he was forced to abandon the Convent, and he dedicated himself to the apostolate of preaching throughout the country. On May 06, 1855, through a decree the Sacred Roman Congregation for the Propagation of Faith declared him an Apostolic Missionary “ad suum beneplacitum.” A person with an open, joyful and integral spirit who gave witness to his great love for God and neighbor by attending to the poor and the needy, spiritually or materially, with profound humility and kindness.
Mother Clara was a woman of prayer, determination, kindness, humility, mercy and compassion. She gave herself totally and courageously, to make her life a gift of love, hope and comfort to all; especially to the sick, the elderly, the orphaned, the poor, the needy and the abandoned of society. While caring for their physical needs, she took care of their spiritual needs as well. Where there was someone in need of food, shelter, clothing, spiritual guidance, consolation or the Word of God, she reached out to them.
She accepted with serenity and in faith all the sufferings that she faced.
Her frequent exhortation, “Let us work with love and for love”, was a synthesis of her life. Charity was at the very core of her being. She was known as “A Sister to the poor - A face of the tenderness and mercy of God.”
Under the coordination, dynamism and initiative of the good Mother Clara, the Congregation was led to a rapid expansion in Portugal, reaching Angola, Goa, Guinea and Cabo Verde. On December 1, 1899, at the age of 56, God called Mother Clara to receive her eternal reward. Mother Clara died, but she continues to live in the heart of all the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters, spread throughout four continents. Mother Clara was beatified on May 24, 2011.
Her frequent exhortation, “Let us work with love and for love”, was a synthesis of her life. Charity was at the very core of her being. She was known as “A Sister to the poor - A face of the tenderness and mercy of God.”
Under the coordination, dynamism and initiative of the good Mother Clara, the Congregation was led to a rapid expansion in Portugal, reaching Angola, Goa, Guinea and Cabo Verde. On December 1, 1899, at the age of 56, God called Mother Clara to receive her eternal reward. Mother Clara died, but she continues to live in the heart of all the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters, spread throughout four continents. Mother Clara was beatified on May 24, 2011.
Let us work with love and for love.