"O God of beauty, love and peace: make us thankful for the privilege of adding beauty to Thy sanctuary, growing in love through Thy service and gaining peace from Thy presence, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. AMEN."

Can you believe cleaning can be joyful?

We take it for granted that the insides of churches need to be swept and dusted, that altar linens be kept clean, and that sacred vessels be treated with respect. The group who work this ministry once a week, think so. On Thursday mornings after Mass, they dust and shine the altar, stained glass windows, and statues in the church and chapel. “Come join us!

St. Clare of Assisi
Christians in St. Clare of Assisi’s day did not always respect the insides of churches, so Clare became famous for embroidering corporals, purificators, and other altar linens - and then giving them to nearby churches. An alb that she made for St. Francis can be seen in the Chapel of the Relics at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Clare’s concern for clean churches eventually became the norm.