THE first-class relic and image of Saint Clare of Assisi, the oldest patron saint of Obando in Bulacan, will be exposed for public veneration from August 2 to 11 at the Radio Veritas Chapel in Quezon City, the Radio Veritas said in a news release.
Saint Clare was a nun from Assisi, Italy, during the 13th century. She founded the congregation called Poor Clares, according to the doctrines and devotion of Saint Francis of Assisi. She was designated as the patron saint of television in 1958 by Pope Pius XII, because when she was very ill and she could not attend Mass, was reportedly able to see and hear it on the wall in her room.
In the Philippines there are 23 monasteries of Poor Clares. They could be found in Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon City, Marinduque, Cebu and South Cotabato, among others, Radio Veritas said.
Each monastery has its own novitiates where they receive their vocation. In Tigaon, Camarines Sur, a parish was named after Saint Clare. Established in 1794 it is said to be the oldest parish in the town.
Saint Clare’s image is the first to be enshrined in the chapel built by the Franciscan missionaries in Catanghalan, the old name of Obando town. She has been considered as the patron saint of good weather because of her name, which in Spanish means “the clearing of the skies after the rain.”
It later became the basis why the faithful offer eggs at the feet of Saint Clare to pray for good weather. Eggs are offered because her name also means claro (albumen) in Spanish.
Also, the fertility dance to request for a mate and to bear children had been made to be a fandango dance in honor of Saint Clare in Obando, Bulacan. Saint Clare’s feast is on August 11 and the second day of Obando feast on May 18 is dedicated in her honor.
Devotees may visit her relic and image from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Our Lady of Veritas Chapel on the second floor of Veritas Tower, 162 West Avenue corner Edsa in Quezon City. A Eucharistic celebration will be held on August 11, 12 noon in her honor, the Radio Veritas said.
Radio Veritas 846, the No.1 faith-based AM radio in the Philippines, is owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Manila. Established in 1969, the Ramon Magsaysay-recipient Catholic radio station continues to be the leading social communications ministry for truth and evangelization in the country today.
Image credits: CBCPNews