In the quiet rhythm of contemplative life, prayer stands as the heartbeat of our vocation. As Poor Clare Sisters, we are called to live at the heart of the Church, offering our lives in constant dialogue with God for the needs of the world. This reflection comes from my own journey in prayer.
Prayer is a dialogue of love with God. It is a direct address to the Divine and a profound form of communion involving praise, gratitude, confession, and petition.
Prayer is a universal practice found across religions throughout history. It has been our daily bread, beginning from our families and continuing into our lives today.

What Does Prayer Do in the Life of an Individual and the Whole Church?
Prayer is fundamental in the life of the People of God. It lies at the core of consecrated life, especially for us contemplatives who live it as our main work at the heart of the whole Church and for the world at large.
Prayer makes all things new. It strengthens our faith and our love for God and neighbor. It gives us patience in God’s providence, fills us with the joy of the Gospel, heals our wounds, and creates inner peace. It keeps us healthy both physically and spiritually.
Our Father Saint Francis and our Mother Saint Clare were always convinced that prayer was something every religious, believer, and even non-believer should long for above all else in life.

What Can I Say About Prayer?
Prayer is my joy and my strength. It is my life! Where would I be without prayer? It has shaped me, guided me, and directed me from my birth up to today. I thank God for all the good things He has given me through prayer.
I thank my departed parents who initiated me into prayer and into the love of God. I bless the Missionary Fathers, my teachers, Mother Abbess, and all my sisters, as well as our chaplains who strengthened and nurtured my faith and brought me to true life in Christ. May the Lord reward them for their love and generosity.
Let us pray for one another so that at the end of our earthly journey we may enjoy the fullness of life in Heaven. Amen.