# St. Clare of Assisi and the fight against communism
*2020-08-10*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, the legacy of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, and the current political climate regarding law and order in America.

## Reflections on St. Clare and Assisi

Today is August 11th, the feast day of St. Clare of Assisi, one of my favorite saints. A few days before the canonization Mass of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, I had the opportunity to take a day trip to Assisi. It was a beautiful town and a beautiful ride. I was able to see the desk of St. Francis in his church, and we also visited the church built by St. Clare. Unfortunately, they didn't allow us to take pictures inside those churches, so we have to look online to find images of those holy places.

## Political Turning Points and Law and Order

In the news, Joe Biden has picked Senator Kamala Harris as his VP candidate. While she has a strong law enforcement background as the former Attorney General of California, I believe there is a fork in the road for the Biden-Harris team. If they remain silent about the unrest in cities like Oregon, Seattle, New York, and Chicago, they are making a great mistake. 

I am a supporter of Donald Trump and Mike Pence, and I believe that for any candidate to win, they must embrace law and order. Even in Democratic strongholds and Black neighborhoods, people want law enforcement. The radical left, those who identify with the hammer and sickle of Marxism and communism, do not represent the general public. If the goal of some in the party is to turn this into a communist country, they will fail.

## The Legacy of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen

I recently reposted a clip on Twitter from Bishop Fulton J. Sheen's show. In his final episode of the first season, he spoke about communism, quoting Abraham Lincoln's idea that communism would only come from within. Looking at the current state of the country, it seems that is exactly what is happening. 

It is heartbreaking that Bishop Sheen was on the brink of becoming the first U.S.-born saint, only for some U.S. bishops to dispute something from his past—specifically a period around 1966 or 1969 when he was a bishop in New York. If there is evidence against his canonization, it should be made public. When the hierarchy acts in secret, they lose credibility with the faithful. Let the truth be known; if it is God's will that he be a saint, then let it happen.

## Prayer and the Power of Suffering

I want to share a few prayers today. First, the Prayer of St. Francis—which is often associated with St. Clare—asking the Lord to make us instruments of His peace. I also shared a prayer for those suffering from illness, which is especially relevant during the coronavirus pandemic. It is difficult to imagine how a horrible disease can bring about good, but we pray that our sufferings unite us to the Cross of Christ. 

For those of you who are suffering or have family members who are, I encourage you to pray the Rosary. I also recommend the daily prayers and the novena to the Assumption provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

*Whether in politics or the process of canonization, the truth must be brought into the light to maintain credibility and faith.*