CLAIRE DE CASTELBAJAC
GOD' S SERVANT26 October 1956 - 22 January 1975
Claire de Castelbajac was born in Paris on October 26th, 1953. The first five years. of her life were spent in Morocco. The rest of her life, except for her studies, was spent in the Lauret family home, in the countryside of Gers.
An intense, lively child, Claire showed a special' interest in anything related to God. She was deeply sensitive to others. and had a noble heart. Her aby1ity to love, give or cue was unlimited.
Claire received her first Holy Communion when she was five and a half years old. Her faith in God and devotion to Mary continued to grow.
She was a good student and was admitted to the Central Institute
of Restoration for painting and frescoes in Rome. Her life may appear easy, yet
she suffered and fought many battles against :
- illness which began in childhood and continued to her death
;
- her excessive sensitivity and impulsiveness ;
- the crisis in the Church ;
- the difficulties and strong temptations during her first
year in Rome.
God's grace is in force and Claire fully submits to His mercy Her approach to the Holy Virgin and, as she put it, to « all those people up in the Highest », is informal. Harmony and supernatural joy beamed through her during the last months of her life.
A three week pilgrimage to the Holy land, one that was truly a « pilgrimage for the poor », had a determinate effect on her. Upon her return and from October to December 1974, she worked on the restoration of two frescoes in the Saint Francis Basilica in Assisi. It was an exceptional time of meditation, enlightenment and happiness.
To follow Christ's footsteps with the enthusiasm she is know for is bliss. She keeps everything in her heart to meditate over within the arches of Assisi ; the final and eternal encounter is yet to come...
Claire went back to Lauret for the Christmas holidays bursting with joy and brimming with vitality. This was no false gaiety, but the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
The joy of God's children who place everything in. His hands, who feel God's love and love so strongly in return they fear nothing. Claire is completely happy. She asks for nothing. and needs; nothing. There is nothing but praise and love. She was tested and purified, her faith won.
She spent the Monday of December 30th, 1974 in Lourdes with her parents. She remained prostrated in prayer at the foot of the grotto for a long time, unconscious of everything around her. Did the Virgin beckon her ? Did she ask for supreme proof of her love ?
Claire was particularly devoted to the first Saturdays of the month. On the morning of Saturday, January 4th, she was struck with a virulent case of encephalitic meningitis. It was agony.
God called her to Eternity on 22 January 1975. Claire was 21 years old.
Claire's privilege was to understand and to help us understand that faith brings joy ; the joy of God's children. Our vocation to happiness can and must already begin on earth.
Any persons who may have been touched by Claire's grace are welcome to make themselves known at the
Monastère Cistercien Sainte Marie de Boulaur,
32450 Saramon (Gers).
Books about Claire are available in monastery :
Claire de Castelbajac n (26 October 1953 - 22 January 1975), published 1978 ;
Claire de Castelbajac (1986).
