MANILA, Philippines - The relic of St. Clare of Assisi arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1 from Rome yesterday morning.
The relic was brought to the country by Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Tuason, Josie Bantog, Nada Sbutega, Carmeni Montanari and Padre Jess Dajac of the Missionaries of Faith.
“This is the first time that the relic of St. Clare was allowed to leave Rome, and we are very fortunate that the Philippines is the first recipient,” Tuason said.
The relic of St. Clare, placed in its original wooden box which is about 24 inches in height, was brought to the NAIA dignitaries lounge for public viewing.
Airline, immigration and airport personnel lined up to pay respects to the relic, which is said to be miraculous, by touching and kissing it.
The relic, a bone from the cranium which is probably part of St. Clare’s eye socket, was scheduled to be brought first to the St. Clare convent in Quezon City then to Cebu where it will stay for four days before going to Davao and back to Manila.
The relic will stay in the country for two months.
Clare of Assisi (sometimes spelled Clair or Claire), born Chiara Offreduccio, is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi.
She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life – the first monastic rule known to have been written by a woman.
Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.
Clare was always devoted to prayer as a child. When she turned 15 her parents wanted her to marry a young and wealthy man but she wanted to wait until she was 18. However, upon reaching the said age, she had heard Francis’ preachings which changed her life.