This past week I spent 3 days with the Poor Clare nuns in Dublin. They asked me to give them a Triduum in preparation for Holy Week. Last year, I was with the Poor Clares in Bothwell, Scotland and like back then, I wondered how does one give some input on prayer to people who are 'professional pray-ers' The Poor Clare were founded by St. Clare of Assisi and their rule of life was approved in 1253 just two days before she died.  They live a contemplative life and have a vow of enclosure so they seldom go outside the monastery.

They are a powerhouse of prayer. They spend most of the day and night in prayer before the presence of the God in the Blessed Sacrament. There, they take all the intentions and worries of all the people who contact them for prayerful support. When you ask the Poor Clares to say a prayer, it is guaranteed they will do just that.  When I feel that my prayers are going nowhere or maybe God isn't listening, the Poor Clares never give up on prayer. Who said of the Lord; "Trust in me when trusting is the hardest thing of all."

Because their whole lives are devoted to spending most of their time with God at the service of the Church and the poeple, they are some of the happiest people I know.  While they spend very little time paying attention to the media, they are not unaware of the difficulties people have to face in the real world. They fervently believe in the good news and the importance of staying positive.  And the other good news is that the Poor Clares are not the only religious congregation who are devoted to a radical life of enclosure and prayer to God. Need a prayer? Why not contact this powerhouse and they will gladly take all your intentions to the good Lord.

For more go to /www.poor-clares.com/