Santa Clara de Montefalco de Pasay - Patroness of Pasay City

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Santa Clara de Montefalco de Pasay
In the busy city of Pasay City, located near the City of Manila and one of the most developed cities in the National Capital Region, one can find a treasure trove of traditions and devotion that lies beneath the urban facade: the existence of the oldest Cenaculo (our own take on the Passion Play) and the great devotion to San Juan Nepomuceno in Malibay, the presece of Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted in Maricaban, the Marian parish of Our Lady of Sorrows and most recently the birthplace and current resting place of the recently declared Servant of God Darwin Ramos.

The oldest church in Pasay City is dedicated to one of well known saints of the Augustinian Order, St. Clare of Montefalco. The devotion to Sta. Clara de Montefalco became one of the treasured devotions of Pasay City for their patroness became a silent witness to the development and growth of Pasay City that is today.

The image

The beautiful image of Santa Clara de Montefalco depcits the saint in her embroidered Augustinian habit, a white toca or head covering that is diagnostic for the nuns from different religious orders. Sta. Clara de Montefalco holds a crucifix which alludes one of her mystical experience with Our Lord Jesus, a scale and a heart which alludes to the miraculous imprints that were found in her incorrupt heart.
St. Clare of Montefalco recieving the vision of Christ
The Life of St. Clare of Montefalco

St. Clare or Chiara in italian, was born at Montefalco, Italy, around 1268. As a young woman she joined a convent of Franciscan tertiaries. This group established Holy Cross Convent at Montefalco in 1290, later adopting the Rule of St. Augustine.

Clare made her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and became an Augustinian nun. Her sister Joan was elected as the first abbess, and their small hermitage (built and funded by their father) was dedicated as a monastery. Clare's sister Joan was the abbess of this community, but at her death Clare succeeded her. She led an austere life, being particularly devoted to the Passion of Christ and His Cross.

The incorrupt heart with the imprints of Arma Christi
(Instruments of the Passion) in her heart.
Clare also reported having a vision of Jesus dressed as a poor traveller. She described His countenance as being overwhelmed by the weight of the cross and His body as showing signs of fatigue. During the vision, Clare knelt in front of Him, and whilst trying to stop Him she asked, "My Lord, where art Thou going?" Jesus answered her: "I have looked all over the world for a strong place where to plant this Cross firmly, and I have not found any". After she reached for the cross, making known her desire to help Him carry it, He said to her: "Clare, I have found a place for My cross here. I have finally found someone to whom I can trust Mine cross," and He implanted it in her heart.  Clare took her belief in this vision seriously.

The rest of her years were spent in pain and suffering, yet she continued to joyfully serve as abbess, teacher, mother and spiritual directress of her nuns. When Clare died in 1308, an image of the Cross was found imprinted on her heart, and her body remained incorrupt. The crucifix reportedly found within Clare's heart is about the size of a thumb. Christ's head leans slightly towards the right arm of the crucifix, and his body is white, except for the "tiny aperture in the right side which is a livid reddish color." The scourge and crown of thorns are apparently formed by whitish nerve fibers, and the three nails are formed of a dark fibrous tissue.She was canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII. Her feast day is August 17.  St. Clare of Montefalco is the patroness of those who have heart diseases and other cardiovascular problems.

Santa Clara de Montefalco de Pasay
The origins

The devotion to Santa Clara de Montefalco de Pasay begain in 1611 when the people of Pasay constructed a chapel made of made of nipa and bamboos since at that time, Pasay is under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Nuestra Señora delos Remedios de Malate and due to it proximity that the visita was constructed.

After 11 years, the plan of requesting a mass in the bisitang pawid was brought to the attention of the church authorities.

On June 28, 1822, their request was brought by the influential people of Pasay to the attention of Archbishop Gregorio Meliton Martinez y Santa Cruz. Sad to say, they did not receive any reply.

Years later, on May 7, 1846, the plan was revived by the natives. This time, they also requested 3 masses to give honor for two saints: San Roque and Santa Clara de Montefalco. It was granted by the Archbishop on May 16,1846. From this point, the people began to develop the devotion to Santa Clara de Montefalco and miracles began to be recorded through her intercession.

Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish in Pasay City at present
Seventeen years have passed when the influential people of Pasay took a giant step in requestion that Pasay be separated from Malate. They wanted to govern solely and to construct their own church. It was eventually granted by the Pinunong Tagapagpaganap, Don Rafael Echague. Pasay was totally separated from Malate on December 2,1863,

The year 1864 was an important year for the residents of Pasay when the Santa Clara de Montefalco Parish was established and it was then administered by the Augustinians.The church was later transferred to the Archdiocesan clergy.

Miracles

Numerous miracles were attributed through her intercession and it is still being reported up to this day. One of the most recalled miracles of Santa Clara de Montefalco happened during the Second World War. It is said that the parish and Padre Zamora Elementary School was used by the Japanese as a temporary garrison.

Santa Clara de Montefalco de Pasay
One of the folks recounts what she saw in the church patio then on her way to the market a nun taking care of the wounded American and Filipino soldiers lying on the ground. She saw this nun everyday as she passed by. but to her surprise she never saw a Japanese soldier intimidate this nun. When they saw the image of Santa Clara de Montefalco, they were surprised that she looks exactly like the nun who takes care of the wounded soldiers. It also known that the parish was spared from the destruction of the war.

The devotion

The devotion to Santa Clara de Montefalco continues to flourish up to this day. The local devotees continues to flock her church and miracles conitnued to be reported up to the present. Her feast day, August 17 is kept with much solemnity. The life of St. Clare reminds us that we are all called to a life of prayer and dedication. Still, we must not expect or anticipate special favors. We are to be satisfied with the simple relationship we establish with God.

Santa Clara de Montefalco de Pasay, Ipanalangin mo kami!

References:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. Relics: "The Shroud of Turin, the True Cross, the Blood of Januarius : History, Mysticism, and the Catholic Church." Our Sunday Visitor: Huntington, Indiana. 1984.
Donovan, Stephen M., "St. Clare of Montefalco". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1913.
"History of the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish", Retrieved from https://santaclarademontefalcoparishpasay.weebly.com/about.html on August 12, 2019.

Credits to the owners of the photographs utilized for this blogpost
+AM+DG+

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