What you hold, may you always hold.
What you do, may you always do and never abandon (second letter of St Clare to Agnes of Prague)

Some background to this quote, courtesy of Joanne Schatzlein OSF: “Agnes has built a hospital dedicated to St Francis in Prague and has been overseeing it. She also built a monastery for women who wanted to follow Clare. She then enters the monastery and of course, like Clare, she does not want to accept dowries as a means of support. She wants a similar privilege that Clare has – The Privilege of Poverty. But is being denied that because the Pope is very concerned that these monasteries of women have some source of income. Agnes is fighting the Pope about accepting income from the Hospital. She wants to remove herself from any relationship with the hospital and dedicate her life to prayer. She must have shared this with Clare, who then writes back to her, “What you hold, may you always hold…….”

This quote speaks to me of integrity and grit. Come what may, I will stick to what I know is right. When difficulties come along (as they surely do!), I will find the strength (and/or the grace) to keep going and not give up. A wise and powerful notion for all of us – as well as an excellent notion to share with our young people.

Have a great week…and term!
Patrick