Groundbreaking Rite for Bethlehem Monastery of Poor Clares

Dear Friends, our groundbreaking ceremony was an unforgettable day in our community's history. We thank the over three hundred people who joined us, and for the benefit of those who could not be there, we share the following:

Father Russell Smith introduced the celebration:

Dear Friends, the pilgrimage of the Franciscan Family through its eight hundred year history is marked by a sacred geography. March 18th is kept by all Poor Clares as the anniversary of the founding of their Order. Seven hundred eighty-nine years ago young Clare de Favorone turned away from her city, her noble station and the future it would offer her. She secretly left her parental home on the night of Palm Sunday and followed Christ, her Lover, "outside the camp" to the holy place of the Portiuncula.

Francis and his Brothers were waiting in the torch-lit night. After cutting her hair, she exchanged her festive dress for the garments of the lowly poor. Then, in a Scripturally prophetic gesture, Clare removed the shoes from her feet before the flaming bush of God's presence in her vocation, and so became the leader of many daughters who would walk barefoot through the centuries in enclosed monasteries on five continents.

Clare and her sisters lived their monastic life in the remote seclusion of San Damiano outside the walls of Assisi. Francis and his friars regularly interrupted their call to preach and made their way to hermitage places throughout Umbria -- the Carcere, Fonte Columbo, and La Verna, the mount of the sacred stigmata.

Now, this sacred geography is being extended to a new holy ground. For all Franciscan Friars and Poor Clares every bush is burning, and the theophany of God is imminent. We are each invited to enter into this history as it unfolds this day.

Frankie Campione, architect of the new monastery, offered some remarks about the project. Mother Mary Colette, abbess of the community conveyed a message of gratitude to all who are supporting the project.

OPENING PRAYER: Father Ronald Lawler, O.F.M. Cap:

Ever-loving Father and Creator of all, in every age and time you draw your faithful children apart to solitary places for prayerful repose in you. May all who ascend Mt. St. Francis and enter the house of prayer to be erected there find peace and spiritual refreshment in your holy presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

READING OF THE WORD OF GOD

First Reading: Exodus 3: 1-6 Brother Roger Petras, O.F.M.
Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush. As he looked on, he was surprised to see that the bush, though on fire, was not consumed. So Moses decided, "I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned."
When the Lord saw him coming over to look at it more closely, God called out to him from the bush, "Moses! Moses!" He answered, "Here I am." God said, "Come no nearer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Antiphon: The Lord will build a house for us, and guard our city.
I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God
and dedicate it for the burning of incense before him.
The house which I am to build will be great
for our God is greater than all gods. (2 Chronicles 2: 4 & 4: 5)

Antiphon

Go up into the hills,
bring timber and build the house,
And I shall take pleasure in it,
And manifest my glory, says the Lord. (Haggai 1: 8)

Antiphon

In your steadfast love you led the people you redeemed,
You guided them by your strength to your holy dwelling.
Your brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession,
The dwelling place, O Lord, of your own making. (Exodus 15: 13 & 17)

Antiphon

GOSPEL: Father Mark, OC.S.O. Mark 6: 30-34

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.
When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Father Ronald Lawler gave the homily.

INTERCESSIONS Father Russell Smith led the intercessions:

Holy Father, you graciously revealed yourself to Moses in the burning bush that he might lead your chosen people into a spacious land where they would worship you in freedom and joy; guide us as we begin to build a house for your name where all your beloved children may come to seek and find your Face. We pray to you, Lord.

God of all consolation, you gave us your only begotten Son to be our Savior and good Shepherd; may his comforting presence sustain us in the months ahead, calming every fear, until he brings us safely to these green pastures and refreshing waters. We pray to you, Lord.

Father of mercies, you inspired St. Francis to construct a monastery outside Assisi for our Mother St. Clare; may the prayers of our Seraphic Founders obtain an abundant stream of blessings from your divine Heart for all our friends who are helping us complete the good work we have begun for your glory. We pray to you, Lord.

PROCESSION TO THE SITE:

Order of the procession:
Crucifix Bearer: Steven White, the Poor Clare Community, Friends of the community, Catholic and Protestant Clergy,
leading cantors: Father Timothy Keeny

AT THE SITE

Those breaking ground each stood in front of a shovel. The sisters stood behind them. The clergy will stand by the orange ribbon. The rest of our friends gathered in and around the tent.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

Most High God, as you chose places of quiet seclusion to lift our Father St. Francis and our Mother St. Clare to heights of contemplation, so you have set apart this little portion of land where a dwelling will rise for their spiritual daughters.
Pour forth, we humbly ask, your blessing on this site, that the ground we break today may signify our readiness to receive your Word in humility of heart and to bear fruit with your grace for the spread of your Kingdom of love and peace on earth, and for the glory of your holy Name.
Mercifully grant your divine assistance in the work about to begin and with your unfailing help at every moment, bring it to successful completion. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
R: Amen.

Here, the ground was sprinkled with holy water by Father Edward Richardson. The ground was then broken, first by the seven persons representing various aspects of the project.
Those breaking ground: Father Ronald Lawler, O.F.M., Cap., Mother Mary Colette, P. C.C. ,Mr. Frankie Campione, Mr. John Digges, Mr. Lee Roberts, Mr. Leonard Waltz, Mrs. Frances Colligan. Then the ground was then broken by the other Poor Clare Sisters as everyone sang a hymn.

CONCLUSION OF THE RITE

May the Most High Heavenly Father bless you and graciously receive the desire of your hearts. Amen.
May the Incarnate Word of God find a home in you, so that rooted and grounded in His Love, you may do all things in His Name. Amen.
May the Holy Spirit clothe you with the power of His grace, so that, having begun this good work in Him, you may carry it through to completion. Amen.