Whispers of answered prayers echo within these walls. This is the Monasterio de Santa Clara. It is a sanctuary of faith amidst Manila’s bustling energy.
Established in 1621 in Intramuros, the Real Monasterio de Santa Clara was the first Catholic monastery in the Philippines. Blessed Mother Jerónima de la Asunción led its founding under royal patronage from Spain. The monastery was home to the Order of the Poor Clares. These nuns dedicated their lives to prayer and contemplation.
Sadly, World War II brought devastation. American bombing during the Battle of Manila heavily damaged the monastery. Many nuns perished. The remaining sisters rebuilt. In 1950, they moved to Quezon City.
The Monasterio de Santa Clara gained fame. Pilgrims came seeking fair weather. They offered a dozen eggs. This tradition arose from the Spanish word “clara.” It means both “Clare” and “fair weather”. It also means the egg white.
The monastery moved again in the 1990s. This was due to the construction of the Katipunan Flyover Bridge. Architect Arturo Mañalac used the Spanish-American mission style. The chapel’s interior is simple and modernist. It features an Art Deco-inspired altar. Images of St. Francis and St. Clare flank the crucifix. Above is the Immaculate Conception.
Around the Monasterio de Santa Clara are reminders of the Clarisas’ history. A mural depicts Saint Clare and her sister, Saint Agnes. They pray before a vision of the Christ Child. Saint Francis helped St. Clare establish the Franciscan Clarist Order in Assisi.
The gardens feature a replica of the San Damiano Cross. St. Francis prayed before this Romanesque cross. A nearby rock displays the Prayer of St. Francis. “Most High, glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart.”
The Monasterio de Santa Clara offers refuge. It is a place for mass and contemplation. People seek divine intervention. The monastery’s history spans almost 400 years. It continues to influence devoted Catholics.
Even today, people offer eggs for clear weather. They seek blessings for exams and other petitions. The Monasterio de Santa Clara stands as a testament to faith. It represents resilience and the enduring power of prayer.