• Welcome to the

    Poor Clare Colettines

    Welcome to the website of the Poor Clare Colettines of Los Altos Hills in Northern California. We are a Catholic religious order of women who have vowed a lifestyle based on the Rule written by Saint Clare more than 800 years ago. Our life is totally dedicated to the praise of God in the spirit proper to our Order and according to our Rule. This is to live an enclosed life of prayer and penance, in solitude and silence, occupied with God alone, urged on by love for the whole people of God.

  • This is our

    Charism

    Our charism is our unique call from God to live our vocation within the Church. All is His grace – charis. God has called us to a contemplative life which is dedicated solely to the praise and worship of God. Love of its very nature cannot be contained but must be given; thus our love of God and one another goes out to the whole world.

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  • These are our

    Vocations

    If you are pondering the question, is God calling me to give myself to Him? Do not be afraid. His grace will guide you as you seek to know His will. A vocation to the religious life and in particular to contemplative life, is a special call. It cannot be explained, only accepted. Every vocation is a gift of God’s love. God loves each of us; He knows us; He knows what is best for us. He knows how your talents and gifts can best be used for the well-being of society.

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  • This is our

    Formation

    The Poor Clares have three stages of formation typically conducted over a period of six years: one year of postulancy, two years of noviceship, and three years of temporary vows (during which time she is called a junior) before making solemn vows.

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  • Join us with

    Prayer and Devotion

    Prayer and Community are the two mainstays of our life as Poor Clares. They are the two pillars upon which everything else rests; without one or the other, the whole structure would fall. Therefore, to speak of prayer it is necessary to understand that our life of prayer is possible because we live in community with others who challenge and support us. Together we are able to live a life of prayer.

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  • Here is our

    Monastery

    The Immaculate Heart Monastery of the Poor Clare Colettines is located in Los Altos Hills in Northern California. We came to this area in the early 1950’s and have been established on these beautiful grounds on which we pray, live and work in community. Ours is a cloistered life – from the Latin claustrum, "enclosure” meaning we are within our walls all our consecrated lives.

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Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Poor Clare Colettines of Los Altos Hills in Northern California. We are a Catholic religious order of women who have vowed a lifestyle based on the Rule written by Saint Clare more than 800 years ago. Our life is totally dedicated to the praise of God in the spirit proper to our Order and according to our Rule. Applicant Inquiry

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Common Questions about Religious Life

Common Questions about Religious Life

Often people are curious about religious life and exactly what is entailed. The following list of questions and answers has been compiled to offer you a better understanding of religious life, and specifically contemplative life in the Catholic tradition.

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Saint Clare of Assisi

Saint Clare of Assisi

Clare was born in 1193 or 1194, in a noble family, whose house overlooked the cathedral square of Assisi. Her father was Favarone di Offreduccio, and her mother’s name was Ortolana. This devout woman had been told by God that her child would be a light enlightening the world, so she called her Clare, which is Ciara in Italian.

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