An estimated 8,500 people viewed the final profession of the newest member of the Poor Clares, Sr Clare Marie, whose ceremony was live streamed last weekend.
In a ceremony described by viewers as “touching”, “calming”, and “heartwarming”, the former UHG dermatology nurse took her final vows in the order’s monastery chapel in Nuns Island.
“We are bowled over at the responses from the people who viewed the ceremony of Sr Clare Marie’s profession,” said the abbess, Sr Colette. “It seems to have touched people in a deep way. Her profession is the culmination of a journey which began in 2016 when she entered the monastery. She has seen for herself ‘the difficulty and joy of a life completely dedicated to God’, as it says in the profession ceremony, and yet still has the courage and conviction to make a life-long commitment to our way of life. We are overjoyed to welcome such a lovely person into our community.”
This is the first live-streamed profession for the Poor Clares community, which has had a presence in Galway for nearly 400 years.
“Live streaming this event for the Poor Clares was a great experience and we really enjoyed working with them and watching the profession unfold,” said Johnathan Connolly, who streamed the event. “We have received very positive feedback about the broadcast.”
While the vast majority of viewers were Irish, a significant number joined in from other countries including India, Australia, Pakistan, Canada, Philippines, Italy, Nigeria, the UK, and the US.
“I can’t help thinking that St Clare may have intervened to ensure the prayerful and uplifting tone of the live stream,” said Sr Colette. She explained that St Clare was designated the patron saint of television, based on an experience she had of being able to see and hear the celebration of Mass in a local Franciscan church when she was bed-bound in her own monastery.
