“All or none,” is the title of the documentary film, made by religious nuns…, recounting the life of Sister Clara Crockett, an Irish nun who died in an earthquake in Ecuador in 2016, when she was 33 years old.
From an early age, Clara Crockett dreamed of becoming a TV star. Now her wish is fulfilled but in the way that God provided for her life.
With a natural talent for art, a beautiful voice, an attractive figure and a lovely smile, Clara was able to become world famous in the field of television. But Clara chose the religious path, joined the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Mother's House at the age of 18 and chose the name of the Congregation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Mother of God. She was a very generous nun with an empathetic spirit. special communication and a rare charism in the care of children and young people.
Musical and television
In her vocation summary, Sister Clara said: “I was born into a Catholic family, from a small part of the world, named Derry, in northern Ireland. As a child, Derry was a place where the words 'Catholic' and 'Protestant' only had political connotations. Being born into a Catholic family does not mean it is necessary to attend Mass or be educated in the Catholic faith. The Catholics wanted a united Ireland and they murdered the Protestants, and the Protestants didn't want a united Ireland so they killed the Catholics. That's what Catholicism means to me. God wants no role in my life. In a society where hatred prevails, there is no place for God.
Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a star. Around the age of 15, I entered the theater industry and had a showman. I have introduced several TV shows, wrote a few scripts, voiced many plays and won awards and at 18 I played a supporting role in a movie.”
Vocation
The girl Clara is a party person. From the age of 16 to 17, on weekends, she often drank with her friends. Sister Clara said: “I spent all my earnings on alcohol and drugs. One day a friend asked me: 'Clara, would you like to go to Spain for free?' An inexpensive trip to Spain, I think, 10 days out in the sun in Spain. I definitely want to go! That friend told me all the attendees would meet next week at a house.
On the day of the appointment, I went to the house and I met my friends there. I went into a room with people in their 40s, 50s, and they all had a rosary in their hand. I asked them: 'Are you going to Spain?' And I almost freaked out when three seconds later, I heard them all enthusiastically reply. We go on pilgrimage!
That's right, friends! We went on a 10 day pilgrimage. I tried to withdraw but my name was on the ticket and there was no other way, I had to go. I understand now that that was the way Our Lady used to bring me home, to her home, to her Son. The pilgrimage was held during Holy Week in a 16th-century monastery.
It's definitely not what I had in mind when I thought of a trip to Spain. We met a group called 'Mother's House' and I wanted to be there. However, during that pilgrimage, the Lord gave me the grace to see how He died on the cross. After receiving that gift, I knew the exchange: If He did this for me, what can I do for Him?
During a retreat or when one feels God's love it is easy to tell Him 'I will do all that You want me to do', but when one is 'going down the mountain' it is not easy. Do it. A few months later, the nuns invited me to go on a pilgrimage to Italy with them and other young women. I went and despite my superficial attitude on the pilgrimage, the Lord made it very clear to me. He wanted me to live as poor, pure and obedient as the nuns.
I told God immediately that it was impossible. 'You can't become a nun!' 'I can't stop drinking, I can't smoke, I can't go to parties, I can't quit my job and my family.' If Jesus asks us to do something, He always gives us the strength and grace to do it. Without His help I could never have done what I had to do in response to the Lord's call for me to follow Him. After understanding that God had called me, I received another grace from God while I was filming a movie in England. I have come to realize that even when it is clear that I have it all, in reality I have nothing.”
Troubled days
Sister Clara recalls that she often sat on her bed in a hotel bedroom and felt a terrible emptiness. “I was achieving all the things I had always dreamed of, but I was not happy,” she said. I know that it is only when I do what God wants me to do that I am truly happy. The Lord showed me how my madness had wounded His Sacred Heart. I knew I had to give it up and follow Him. I knew very well that He asked me to trust Him, put my life in His hands, and have faith. I now happily consecrate myself in the Order of the Handmaids of Mother's House. God is constantly touching me as He works in souls, as He can completely transform a person's life and capture their hearts. I thank God for being patient and continuing to be patient with me. I didn't ask why God chose me, I simply accepted that He did. I rely entirely on Him and on the Virgin Mary and I ask them to grant me the grace to be as they wish.
Hong Shui – Vatican
Please watch the trailer of the movie “All or Nothing: Sr. Clare Crockett".