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“Always and in all things, God must be praised.”
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Franciscan Poor Clare Sisters of Duncan
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 The Poor Clares were founded in 1212 by St. Francis of Assisi who received the 18 year old Clare into the way of Gospel living that he had received. In a very short time many Monasteries, following this way of life led by Clare and her sisters, sprang up all over Italy and other parts of the world. By 1875, the Clarian life had spread to North America.
Our own community began in 1912 as four Sisters traveled over 3000 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana. The early years were struggling ones for our founding Sisters who found life in the Canadian north difficult. Gradually they returned to the United States with many of the newer members.
 The three remaining sisters made many sacrifices to maintain their lives of prayer in the rural areas of Victoria. The life of prayer, contemplation and quiet witness did not elicit much encouragement or support in a Church and society that sought workers in the marketplace to spread the Gospel message. Planting fruit trees, making vestments and developing a printing department provided some of the needed income. Gradually the community grew once again with women coming from around the world.
By 1970, the large, old building in Victoria was too costly to maintain and the Sisters began to look for a place to relocate.  While remaining true to their life centered on prayer, greater presence to those seeking God dictated the setting and the structure of the new monastery. In November of 1973, the community moved to its present location in Duncan.
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