Second Letter of St. Clare to St. Agnes of Prague
1 To the daughter of the King of kings, the handmaid of the Lord of lords (cf. Rev 19:16; 1 Tim 6:15), the worthy spouse of Jesus Christ and therefore a noble queen, the Lady Agnes,
2 Clare, the unprofitable and unworthy handmaid of the poor ladies, sends greetings and wishes her a life lived always in the highest poverty.
3 I give thanks to the Giver of grace, from whom, as we believe, comes every good and every perfect gift (Jas 1:17), for having adorned you with such splendour of virtues and made you famous with the marks of such great perfection
4 that, as a zealous imitator of the perfect Father (cf. Mt 5:48), you have become perfect, so that His eyes may see nothing imperfect in you (cf. Ps 139:16).
5 This is the perfection by which the King Himself will unite you to Himself in the heavenly chamber, where He sits in great glory on a starry throne,
6 because you disregarded the dignity of an earthly kingdom and found the offered marriage with the emperor unworthy of you;
7 you became a zealous follower of most holy poverty and, in a spirit of great humility and most ardent love, you have followed in the footsteps (cf. 1 Pet 2:21) of Him who has taken you as His spouse.
8 I know that you are rich in virtues, so I will refrain from writing at length, so as not to weary you with unnecessary words,
9 although no word seems unnecessary to you if it can bring you comfort.
10 One thing is necessary (Lk 10:42), and this one thing I lay upon your heart, through the love of Him to whom you have offered yourself as a holy and pleasing sacrifice (cf. Rom 12:1):
11 remember your resolution like a second Rachel and always keep your starting point before your eyes: hold fast to what you hold, do what you do, and do not stop (cf. Song 3:4),
12 but with swift and light step, without stumbling, so that not even dust may cling to your feet,
13 go forward securely, joyfully, eagerly and prudently on the path of happiness.
14 Trust no one and agree with no one who would want to turn you away from this resolution or who would place a stumbling block (cf. Rom 14:13) on your way, so that you may fulfil your vows to the Most High (Ps 50:14) in the perfection to which the Spirit of the Lord has called you.
15 That you may walk more securely in this way of the commandments of the Lord (cf. Ps 119:32), follow the advice of our venerable Father, Brother Elias, the Minister General;
16 value it above the advice of others and regard it as your most precious treasure.
17 And if anyone tells you otherwise or gives you other advice harmful to your perfection and contrary to your divine vocation, then, despite the respect due to him, do not follow his advice,
18 but, poor virgin, embrace the poor Christ.
19 Look upon Him who became despised for you; become despised for Him in this world and follow Him.
20 Noble queen, your Spouse, the fairest of the sons of men (Ps 45:3), became for your salvation the lowest of men, despised, struck, wounded by scourging (cf. Mt 27:26) over His whole body, and died in agony on the cross: gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him and strive to imitate Him.
21 If you suffer with Him, you will reign with Him (cf. Rom 8:17; 2 Tim 2:12); if you share His sorrow, you will share His joy; if you die with Him on the cross of suffering (cf. 2 Tim 2:11), you will dwell with Him in heaven (cf. Ps 110:3) in the splendour of the saints,
22 and your name will be written in the book of life and will be glorious among people (Rev 3:5).
23 Therefore you will have an eternal share in the glory of the heavenly kingdom instead of earthly and passing things, in eternal goods instead of short-lived ones, and you will live for ever and ever.
24 Farewell, dearest sister and lady, for the sake of the Lord your Spouse,
25 and be sure to commend me and my sisters to the Lord (cf. Acts 14:23) in your devout prayers. We rejoice in all the good the Lord works in you by His grace.
26 Commend us most warmly to your sisters as well.
Translated from the Polish edition of the writings of St. Clare.