Corpus Christi Monastery

Our Charism — Holy Poverty, Simplicity and Franciscan Joy

The Rockford Poor Clares live the Colettine form of the Poor Clare life, an enclosed contemplative Franciscan community stretching from Sts. Francis and Clare in the 13th century to St. Colette in the 15th. Their life is described by three simple words — Holy Poverty, Simplicity and Franciscan Joy — and they devote themselves to a hidden life of prayer and penance for the needs of the Church and the Rockford diocese.

History of Corpus Christi Monastery

Requested by Bishop Peter James Muldoon, founded from Cleveland in 1916, and moved to the present South Main Street property in 1920, Corpus Christi Monastery has shaped and been shaped by the Diocese of Rockford for more than a century.

• 1908 — Diocese of Rockford erected; Bishop Muldoon becomes first bishop.
• March 1916 — first two Poor Clares arrive from Cleveland.
• June 29, 1916 — first Mass offered in the new little monastery.
• August 12, 1916 — solemn blessing and dedication under the title 'Corpus Christi' on the feast of St. Clare.
• March 1920 — Bishop Muldoon purchases larger South Main Street property (former sanitarium).
• September 8, 1924 — ground broken for new chapel.
• November 9, 1924 — cornerstone laid by Bishop Muldoon.
• July 26, 1925 — chapel consecrated; Rev. Edward Walsh, C.S.S.R. preaches the sermon.
• June 1926 — chapel formally dedicated; marble altar and stained glass added by benefactors.
• 1927 — death of Bishop Muldoon; Bishop Edward F. Hoban assumes oversight.
• 1931–1932 — brick enclosure wall built.
• 1934 — Extern Sisters' wing added.
• 1960s — new monastery construction begins; novitiate wing occupied 1963.
• 1990 — new infirmary wing built.
• 1992 — responds to request from Diocese of Peoria.
• 1995 — eight sisters leave to found Annunciation Monastery in Minooka, IL (Diocese of Joliet).
• October 15, 1998 — Annunciation Monastery solemnly dedicated; Papal Enclosure established.

Our Monastery and Chapel

The South Main Street property was originally a sanitarium Bishop Muldoon purchased in 1920 as a more spacious home for the growing community. The cloistered sisters lived there until 1960, when the present monastery was begun; a novitiate wing rose in place of the sanitarium and was ready in 1963. A modern infirmary wing followed in 1990. The chapel — whose marble altar and stained-glass windows were donated by generous benefactors and added after the 1926 dedication — remains the spiritual heart of the community.

Daily Horarium (Public Prayer Times)

Although the Sisters live cloistered, the public is invited to share in their round of prayer. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily at 7:00 a.m. with the faithful welcome to attend.

• 12:45 a.m. — Matins (Office of Readings)
• 5:30 a.m. — Lauds (Morning Prayer)
• 7:00 a.m. — Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (open to the public)
• 8:00 a.m. — Rosary and Abbess' blessing
• 9:30 a.m. — Terce (Midmorning Prayer)
• 11:45 a.m. — Sext (Midday Prayer)
• 2:00 p.m. — None (Midafternoon Prayer)
• 4:30 p.m. — Vespers (Evening Prayer)
• 7:30 p.m. — Compline (Night Prayer)
• Friday — Adoration all day after Mass, Rosary and Benediction at 4:10 p.m.

Pray With Us — Visiting the Chapel

The chapel is kept locked outside of public events, but the Sisters welcome anyone wishing to pray in the public Chapel at any time — just ring the doorbell and ask to be admitted. Daily Mass and Friday Adoration are the two scheduled public opportunities, and the Solemn Feast and Mass of Holy Mother Saint Clare each August 11 at 8:00 a.m. draws pilgrims from across the region. As the Sisters pray: 'Remember, Glorious Mother Clare, the promise Jesus made you when, prostrate before the Holy Tabernacle, you implored Him on behalf of those in distress.'

• Daily 7:00 a.m. Mass — open to the public
• Friday Adoration all day, Rosary and Benediction at 4:10 p.m.
• Feast of St. Clare — August 11 at 8:00 a.m.
• Private Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — a privilege granted to all Poor Clares

Vocations — Becoming a Poor Clare

In her Rule, St. Clare outlines who can embrace this life: a Catholic prompted by the Holy Spirit, free of canonical and personal impediments, and of 'good will.' The Rockford community welcomes inquiries from women ages 18 to 35 (belated vocations are rarely considered) with a high school education, normal health of mind and body, emotional and psychological stability, a teachable heart, and a wholehearted desire to follow 'the poor Christ unreservedly' in a hidden life of prayer and penance. Initial formation lasts 9 to 12 years through the stages of aspirancy, postulancy, novitiate and juniorate; ongoing formation continues for life. No dowry is required.

• Age 18–35 (belated vocations rarely considered)
• Stages: Aspirancy, Postulancy, Novitiate, Juniorate (9–12 years)
• 'Come and See' visits arranged on request
• Write or call: Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 S. Main St., Rockford, IL 61102 — (815) 963-7343

Contact the Monastery

The monastery welcomes visitors, prayer requests and vocation inquiries through its chapel doorbell, by phone or by post.

• Address: Corpus Christi Monastery, 2111 South Main Street, Rockford, Illinois 61102
• Phone: +1 (815) 963-7343
• Website: http://www.rockfordpoorclares.org/

Lineage and Sister Communities

The Rockford monastery springs from the Cleveland, OH Poor Clare community — itself the first Poor Clare house in the New World, tracing its origin back to Düsseldorf, Germany. In 1995, eight of the Rockford sisters responded to a request from the Diocese of Joliet and founded Annunciation Monastery in Minooka, Illinois, solemnly dedicated with Papal Enclosure on October 15, 1998 under the patronage of Our Lady of the Annunciation.

• Cleveland, OH — first Poor Clare monastery in the New World (origin: Düsseldorf, Germany)
• Rockford, IL — Corpus Christi Monastery, founded 1916
• Minooka, IL — Annunciation Monastery, founded 1995, dedicated 1998 (Diocese of Joliet)