Santa Clara and San Francisco

 

 

play by Ruth Salles

play for 3 characters and singing choir

NOTE

This play, made initially for the Travessia School, tells, in four scenes, the vocation of Francisco de Assis and Clara. Francisco was originally called João Bernardone, but his father, a wealthy fabric dealer, upon returning from France, began to call him “French”, that is, Francisco. Of Clara, it is known that she was from a noble family, but there is no news of her surname. Clare and Francis were born in the twelfth century, he around 1181, and she perhaps in 1194. Both heard the call of Lady Poverty and abandoned their life of wealth to live simply. In 1209, Francis managed to found the Order of Franciscans, having founded in 1212 the Order of Poor Clares, for Clare and the women who followed her. It is said that even her mother and sisters joined her, and that she had, several times, the gift of healing. The figure of Francis of Assisi impresses with his love for all humanity and all Nature. Before dying, he already presented in his body the miracle of the stigmata of the wounds of Christ. Francisco de Assis composed the beautiful “Canticle of Brother Sun”. It is said that the first nativity scene was assembled by him, with an ox and a real donkey. According to a legend, at that moment he held the Baby Jesus himself. The music I made.        Ruth Salles

CHARACTERS

Francisco, Clara and their mistress.
Choir that sings
The ox and the donkey in the crib could perhaps be represented by children of
another class.

The scenes take place in Assisi, Umbria.

 

SCENE 1

Clara's street and house. Francis' house.
Clara and her old mistress see Francisco passing through the street from the window.

FRANCISCO (sings – along with the choir – while the two listen):
“I'm coming back from the war!
My God sent me back.
It's for love on earth
that I will have to fight.
I'm a merchant's son
who earns a lot of money,
but only Jesus Lord
I will serve all the time!
I'm coming back from the war!
My God sent me back.
It's for love on earth
that I will have to fight.
I'm grateful for the green grass
where does my step go?
to the mountain trees
I send my hug.” (he passes and leaves)

CLEAR:
– Listen, my good mistress!
It's Francisco! And how it sings!
Talk about love for others
and gratitude to plants.
I didn't want your armor anymore,
nor the wealth of clothing.
Gave everything to poor soldiers
and wears a burlap sack.

LOVE:
– Cover your ears, girl!
You are the daughter of fine people,
of nobles of great gala! (Francis is already passing by again)

CLEAR:
- But listen to how he talks.
saying such beautiful things.

LOVE:
– He who keeps silent is better.
Girl, close the window.

(The nurse goes into the house. Clara continues to listen behind the shutter.)

FRANCISCO (walks, exclaiming):
- I praise your Nature,
O Lord, the sun, the moon,
the stars twinkling,
the river that passes by.
I praise the precious water
and I praise the thorn and the rose.
all the little animals
deserve my praise.
To the rich and the poor
I offer my love.
I like the wind that flies,
of the fire with its glare,
and the good creature
who offers his forgiveness.
Lord, what did you advise?
I will do it from the heart.
I will restore the ruins
of the church of San Damiano.

AMA (comes back and gets angry with Clara):
- You are there with a lit candle
listening to this serenade?
you don't even look like the princess
covered in gold and silver!

CLEAR:
- Baby, none of this is worth it.
Only this great certainty
from my heart.
Francis leaves his wealth,
prefers the Poverty lady.
And will restore the church
of San Damiano.

 

SCENE 2

Clara's street and house. Francisco's house door, through which he leaves.
Clara and the nurse are still at the window.

FRANCISCO (speaks to the open door, as if talking to his father):
- Father, I took your rich cloths
to shelter the poor.
Winter is killing them,
and we have plenty of cloth.
Keep everything you have,
for that was your job.
I am, for you, just someone
that your business gets in the way.
And I don't want that much,
that you offer me, father!
The bishop gave me his robe.
I don't want anything else.
Goodbye! I'm leaving.
I will live in simplicity.
I thank God now
and my sister Nature.

AMA (while Francisco is leaving the house):
- Francisco's father was furious,
because he disobeyed him.
With nothing to take with you,
he is already leaving.
How will you live now?

FRANCISCO (walks around talking):
– Mrs Poverty,
my most beautiful sister...
I eat what I find on the mountain
and drink the spring water.
There in the solitude of the countryside
I will hear the swallows,
and I appreciate the singing
such good little sisters.
The tree is good shelter.
Its leaves are the tiles.
I will make a friend of the wolf.
I will talk to the sheep. (Francis walks and leaves)

CLARA (leaves the house with the nurse; voices are heard):
- Aren't you listening, baby?
the voices of those who suffer?
Francis already consoles them.
They are voices that thank you
for all the good he does!
There are so many of your followers,
there are so many… More and more!

LOVE:
- Girl, you're always dreaming, dreaming...
Your father is looking for a bridegroom for you.
It's a marriage he wants to propose.

CLEAR:
- Oh, my mistress, I will not accept.
I don't think I can continue here.
I just want to serve God Our Lord.
I'll look for Francisco and see if I can
your friendly advice.
Love baby, goodbye for now! (Clara runs away)

LOVE:
– I can't do anything… There she goes!

 

SCENE 3

Field near the door of the Church of San Damiano
Clara's meeting with Francisco.

FRANCISCO:
– Do you want to leave your old wealth
and live on alms like a beggar?

CLEAR:
– Poverty is rich. It's the best friend.

FRANCISCO:
– Do you want me to cut you this beautiful hair?
that you let grow your whole life?

CLEAR:
“Vanity has never been my adviser.

(If there is a possibility of a kind of wig, the hair is cut short.)

FRANCISCO:
– You will live alone in São Damião.
Every day I will come to bring your bread.

CLEAR:
– Soon other friends will also come.

FRANCISCO:
– I already have the Order of Sister Poverty…

CLEAR:
– … where you only see joy and beauty.

FRANCISCO:
– We will now have the Order of Poor Women…

CLEAR:
– … where feelings will be the noblest.

 

SCENE 4

Field near the San Damiano Gate.
The crib with ox, donkey, Joseph, Mary and the manger.

CHORUS (sings):
“The first crib, who built it?
Francis of Assisi, Francis of Assisi.
With an ox and a donkey he found nearby.
Francis of Assisi, Francis of Assisi.
Francisco is José, and Clara is Maria,
with such joy, with such joy.

The brothers and sisters watch happily,
and a lot more people, and a lot more people.
But in the manger there is a light.
Francisco bends over and takes him in his hand.
And he sees that he is carrying the Child Jesus,
full of light, full of light!”

 

END