THERE'S MORE TO STA. CLARA THAN JUST EGGS AND GOOD WEATHER

Msgr. Claro Matt Garcia often gets chided that he must receive a lot of eggs at his parish.

- MISSY SANARES-REYES

That's because when one prays for good weather, the tradition is to offer eggs to Sta. Clara.

"Actually (the eggs are offered to) Sta.Clara de Assisi in Quezon City, but to our surprise, people bring their eggs here," says Msgr. Matt. "But it works. They were granted good weather. I guess it's because we make sure their offerings are mentioned in our Holy Mass."

Why eggs? He explains, "Clara means 'bright' and 'clear.' In the context of the Spanish language, it may refer to the albumen of an egg." Bright and clear-like transparent egg whites.

Aptly, this is all told by a priest of the same name: Claro.

THE PARISH A year-long celebration is how parishioners of Santa Clara de Montefalco gave thanks for its 160 years of existence. The year closed last Aug. 17, with the commemoration of its 161st anniversary.

The parish is the beating heart of Pasay. Located at 2360 P. Burgos Street, it is the city's first parish established in 1864.

Communities in Pineda (the old name of Pasay) had long desired a nearby church as the faithful had to make the long trek to attend Mass in Malate.

When Pineda was granted municipal status, it was allowed to establish its own parish. An Augustinian, Fray Simon Barroso, was its first parish priest.

THE PATRONESS In the years of establishing the parish, the Italian nun Clara de Montefalco was already beatified, her canonization being greatly anticipated.