The Poor Clares of Arras want to develop their monastery, starting with their chapel

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The Poor Clare Monastery from Arras (Pas-de-Calais) has a long history: it has been present in the same place for 567 years! Built in 1457, it currently houses 9 nunsincluding one applicant. For several weeks, a communication campaign, with videos, has been broadcast on social networks to collect donations for a new project. Sister Christine-Marie, abbess, explains the future construction site, which will begin with the renovation of the chapel.

A construction site at Les Clarisses, in Arras

How did the project to redevelop your monastery come about?

Sister Christine-Marie: The beautiful thing is that the idea did not come from us, but from several questions. First, a sister, the federal councilor of our congregation, advised us to redo our chapel. I didn't expect that! This joined dissatisfaction with its low reception capacity, its poor layout, its lack of accessibility… The visit of our bishop, Mgr Leborgne, encouraged us. A steering committee was created. A new project has been in preparation for 2 years. He invites us to see wider than the chapel to prepare for the future. And that requires major work.

What is the purpose of this work?

We will start with the chapel which is not suitable for welcoming people with disabilities because there are 3 levels, with steps. Also, it lacks clarity. Its capacity is only 50 people, we cannot always accommodate all the faithful who want to. In addition, they and the community are far away, at two ends of the chapel.

Double the reception capacity

Show us the future chapel.

The project is to return it to its initial orientation, that is to say the Orient. The faithful will enter on the garden side and will have a view of the green space. The new layout will double the current capacity, or 100 people. The community will be closer to the faithful, which will create better communion. The levels will be replaced by a gentle slope.

And legs de 300,000 €!

What budget do you need?

For the chapel, it’s €900,000. We launched a request for donations on the credofunding site, and we have already obtained the first level, i.e. €30,000. The collection continues! What encourages us is to have received a bequest of €300,000. Providence is there…

What will the steps be?

We hope to begin work in the fall of 2025, for a period of one year. This will only be the beginning, we are considering other renovations (see box).

Encourage young people

How would you organize yourself during the chapel work?

The chapel will have to be completely closed for about a year. We will have to organize ourselves to continue to welcome the public in our reception building, but in small numbers.

This project is a positive sign at a time when other communities are closing…

What is magnificent is that this project is not ours, it is common progress. From the start, the monastery was founded by the will of lay people, it is there for everyone. When a bus stop exists, it is a sign that a bus is going to pass. When a community lives and prepares for the future, young people can say that it is for them…

Information and donations: credofunding.fr/fr/clarisses-arras. Or by check to: Monastère Sainte-Claire, 1 rue Sainte-Claire, 62000 Arras. To receive a tax receipt, make your check payable to “Fondation des Monastères” and write on the back: “In favor of the Monastère Sainte-Claire Arras”.

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