Heaven's Helpers

The Poor Clare nuns’ handmade gifts put Santa’s elves to shame

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In the heart of Uptown New Orleans, the iconic St. Clare’s Monastery rests on an entire city block, surrounded by an impressive brick enclosure that makes the average passerby wonder who lives behind those walls. There’s no imposing sign beckoning visitors inside; only a simple wrought iron gate stands open during the day, revealing a paved path to the front door.

Some locals attend mass in the beautiful chapel; others stop by to ask for prayers, a specialty of the contemplative Poor Clare sisters, a Franciscan order of Catholic nuns who have lived and worked in New Orleans since 1885. The curious may wander up the path to find a small sign instructing them to ring the bell, an alert that resonates throughout the monastery and brings forth a sister who peers out through a grate. 

But as the holidays draw near, those in the know seek out the convent for its hidden gem—a small gift shop filled with lovingly crafted items made by the sisters. The shop is a treasure trove of delights, from Sister Rita Hickey’s ceramic nativities and statues to Sister Laurie DiMarco’s photographs. Sister Charlene Toups molds beeswax into Christmas tree-shaped candles, and Sister Julie Glaeser crochets a range of gifts.

Perhaps the most famous of the group, though, is Sister Olivia Wassmer, who turns sketches of New Orleans’ buildings, floats, and streetcars into brightly painted ornaments. She’s known as the night owl of the group, staying up late in her workshop, copying her drawings onto balsa wood, which she then hand paints and varnishes.  

Every year, Sister Olivia reveals her newest design, and her loyal customers line up to add to their collections. Morning Call debuted in 2016, joining the ranks of St. Louis Cathedral, Hansen’s Sno Bliz, Commander’s Palace, and a long list of the city’s icons. “I think about it for a long time,” said Sister Olivia, reflecting on her inspiration. “I consider how it will represent the city and whether it would make a good ornament. I also get recommendations from friends and people who have collected the ornaments.”

The shop is open year-round, but the Christmas season brings the most visitors. As the holiday approaches, the sisters work overtime to meet the increased demands. 

“We used to have a date for the big sale,” said Sister Elizabeth Mortell, a former commercial artist. On a tour of the monastery, she pointed out the rooms where they lined up their crafts on tables and others where they prepared food sold for lunch. “It got to the point where we needed two policemen, though, and we decided this is not why we’re here.”

Poor Clare nuns live in chastity, obedience, and poverty, residing behind walls but always staying in touch with the needs of their community. In fact, the true mission of the eight sisters who live here is prayer and contemplation, and they’ve been offering up prayers for New Orleans and its residents for more than 130 years. “St. Clare emphasized praying for the city you belong to, so we pray for the city and beyond,” said Sister Elizabeth, who currently serves as the elected abbess. The group also offers daily meals to the poor, but as Sister Elizabeth said, “That’s not really our work. We’re just being charitable Catholics.”

And the purpose of the gift shop? “It helps keep the monastery going. We have to keep the place up. Plus, everything we sell is tax free,” she added with a smile. 

The women are a hardworking group, filling free time between prayers and upkeep of the monastery with work on their crafts. Sister Julie, a former teacher and principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in Kenner, took a break from preparing lunch to show off a granny-square stocking she was crocheting. “I mostly crochet small things: angels and butterflies, snowflakes for the Christmas season,” she said. “I make needlepoint key chains for LSU and the Saints, and I also make some little stadium bags for the games.” 

Meanwhile, in a corner of the basement, Sister Rita sat amidst stacks of wooden ornaments and ceramic statues. A nearby wall is lined with countless molds, and her kiln stands ready to fire up her creations. “I leave the nativity sets up all year because tourists come looking for them. I often sell the really nice ones to couples on their honeymoon,” she explained. With no time to waste, she continued painting while she talked, “I’m working on this wooden nativity set now. It’s fun for the kids; they can’t break them.”

“She’s a good worker. Keeps her nose to the grindstone,” Sister Elizabeth quipped, revealing the good-natured, familial relationship the sisters share. 

Although the monastery is a large place, the sisters live in close harmony with each other. From the gardens to the communal family room, a humble peace resonates throughout the monastery, a sanctuary for prayers and the center of modest, but dedicated, industry. 

Although they will accept visitors to the gift shop every day of the week between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:45 pm, the sisters prefer visitors to come between 10 am and 11:30 am or 2 pm and 4 pm. 

The new Morning Call ornament will be released the Saturday before Thanksgiving. There are usually some items still available for purchase until Christmas, although they do begin to run out of the more popular ornaments.

St. Clare's Monastery

720 Henry Clay Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118

(504) 895-2019