It is they who make our contemplative life possible. This added dimension is another distinguishing characteristic of a Poor Clare's life linking us, as it does, to the only people who made such a vow at that time - the anchoresses, holy women who gave their lives to prayer as intercessors for the people. Thirteenth century Italian homes had a reception area for guests and a private living area where outsiders did not come. To live in an enclosure meant you lived in that part of the house where people outside were not ordinarily allowed. This helps describe our situation.
Public access is limited to certain areas.
This is especially necessary because we live on a busy suburban highway. Every day many people come to visit our quiet chapel, talk with the sister at the door, or patronize our gift shop. Our enclosure serves to maintain an atmosphere conducive to prayerfulness and supportive of our Eucharistic adoration. Apart from its practical purpose, Clare did not intend that we live enclosure as an ascetical withdrawal as in traditional monasticism. Rather, it's deeper meaning is derived from Clare's contemplation of Christ, expressly in his total self-giving.