Welcome to Saint Clare Convent
the mother house of
the Franciscans
of Mary the Theotokos.

We want to be
a geographically diverse community
so we have created a cyber convent.

Please take a moment to visit
our virtual Chapel.

We have set up the Chapel
to be a place for meditation.

Why Create a New Religious Order

With a Cyber Convent

and a Cyber Community?

I decided to create a Religious Order because I could not find an Order that had the blend of Marian and Franciscan spirituality that I wanted. The Franciscan groups were not quite Marian enough and the Marian groups were either not Franciscan or very conservative. As a gay woman, I could not, in good conscience, join a traditional Roman Catholic Order even if I could find one that was both Marian and Franciscan. I never felt called to "leave the world" and go into a convent. But I felt called to a deeper vowed religious life. I also discovered that there really were limited options for women who might feel that same call I felt. Most of the independent Catholic groups are either male only or comprised of both men and women. The few groups that are just for women seem to be set up for women who are able and feel called to live together within a community. I chose to create both a Religious Order and a cyber community because I want women to know that, regardless of where they live, there is an Order they can join and a place were they can finally answer that call to a deeper, vowed religious life while still remaining fully in the world.

Blessings and Peace!

Sister Pat, FMT