Canticle of the Saint Francis of Assisi” (Giovanni Bernardone, 1181-1226)

Visions of Sister Moon:

An entirely fictional and imagined correspondence between Claire and Francis of Assisi.  By Cat Vibert

Click here for Part 1

My Clair de Lune,

By the time you receive this I will be well on my way to Rome. And while I agree with you as to the structure of holiness of the church, surely you understand the political nature of things.  The church’s blessing is required in order to provide the funds necessary to establish the new order.  If we receive it, it will be a blessing to our community, which as you know, is sorely lacking in its relationship to Our Lord.  I tell you this to provide you with comfort and assurance.  I too have had visions, and I continue to be led by them to not cower before the majesty of the church, but to be humble and ask for what is needed for the good of Assisi and of the new order.  Assisi is to become a symbol for the future of all Christianity.  A day will come when our work with the animals and the land will be recognized by the peoples of the entire world as a potent reminder of our purpose as stewards in Our Lord’s dominion.   You need not worry, I will not be corrupted by the grandeur of things.  I will always wear only this simple brown cloth that you have woven for me, which in itself is the richest vestment any man could want.

As to your vision, your sight is an astounding revelation.  It is as clear to me as daylight shines its glorious light that you are indeed a bride to Our Lord.  My Claire who has visions under the light of the moon, the deer in your sight is a clear symbol that Our Lord has entered your visions and speaks through them, for only Our Lord can cast away demons while invoking compassion.  The water in the lake is the state of piety, as you know, the lack of piety has caused such horrors, and people are being led astray by claims of golden redemption.  Only tears of compassion and forgiveness can bring the people back to walk in the true path of Our Lord.  When that happens, and the people drink of those tears, they will once again follow.

When I return from Rome, my dear Claire, I ask you to allow me to receive you as a bride to Our Lord.  As to the conversation we had in regards to marriage the night we walked under the stars and dreamed of a home to tend the animals, I maintain that my love for you is as full as any heart can hold, but that is because you are so full of Our Lord.  We must never sully that love with earthly desires but must dedicate our lives together to serve Our Lord.  Only you will ever know how close my heart came to choosing an earthly wedding to you over the establishment of the new order.  My confused prayers have been answered with visions, and I must obey Our Lord.  But Claire, I need you by my side always, and so I ask you again, to take the holy vows.  Keep watch to your visions, you will find an answer there.

I will see you upon my return, and pray that you will keep safe.  Pray for our success. I am accompanied by eleven of my companions, and I do not think that any ill can befall us with the likes of them nearby.  Oh, lest I forget mon Claire, you would be amused to see the number of birds that have flocked to us and have joined us on our journey.   I have been feeding them. They have voracious appetites and so I imagine would follow even a devil if he carried a seed bag.  But you, my frail moon, you must keep care to stay pure as the light you are.  Until I return my love.

My love to you through the heart of Our Lord,

Francis

©2010 Catherine Vibert

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6