Here is part of the Second Letter of St Clare to her friend, St Agnes of Prague: ‘What you hold, may you always hold. What you do, may you always do and never abandon. But with swift pace, light step, and unswerving feet, so that even your steps stir up no dust, go forward securely, joyfully and swiftly, on the path of prudent happiness, believing nothing, agreeing with nothing which would dissuade you from this resolution or which would place a stumbling block for you on the way, so that you may offer your vows to the Most High in the pursuit of that perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you’.

These are words we may trust; may we allow them to speak in the depths of our hearts. And may St Clare pray for us, and God remain very close to you this day.