Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RD/CN)

Mangalore, Aug 2: The eighth centenary celebrations of the founding of the Order of Poor Clares by St Clare began at Adoration Monastery on Tuesday August 2.  The celebrations will conclude on Thursday August 11.

Milagres parish priest Fr Walter D’Mello inaugurated the celebrations before the Holy Mass.

Fr D’Mello, in his homily, narrated the virtues of St Clare which have exalted her to sainthood.

As part of te preparations for grand celebrations on Thursday August 11, nine-day retreats will be held in Kannada, Konkani, and English.

Hundreds of faithful and parishioners from city parishes were present on the occasion.

St Clare was born in Assisi in Umbria.  She gave away all her worldly belongings along with St Francis to the poor, fled from the clamour of the world, received tonsure from the same St Francis, and established the Poor Ladies of the order of Minors.

Pope Benedict XVI announced plenary indulgence for the centenary of the founding of the Order of Poor Clares apostolic penitentiary by a decree a few months ago for all those who attend the jubilee celebrations.