Sr. Clare Crockett: Alone with Christ Alone

by Kristen Gardner

The young Clare Crockett, who aspired to nothing less than Hollywood, left all her dreams aside on one Good Friday after an encounter with Christ Crucified. When she was seventeen years old, the Lord transformed her soul and she no longer desired to have anything other than the Love of Christ. The desire of her soul to belong to Christ alone –to live alone with Christ Alone– led her to consecrate her life in the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother and to give of herself with complete generosity. Her overwhelming joy led many souls, especially of young people, to discover true happiness that can be found in God alone. Her coherent lifestyle and her total surrender in the apostolic works that she carried out in Spain, the United States and Ecuador, made the message very clear to all that God alone can satisfy the human heart.On April 16, 2016, an earthquake in Ecuador caused the community’s house to collapse, which led Sr. Clare to her definitive encounter with Christ Alone.(Please note that this edition has the photos inside in black and white.)

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Catholic, Biography

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 13, 2020

Reviews

[Fr. Dominic Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy, if you see it, you cannot fail to be moved and challenged and changed by it. Sr. Kristen Gardner's account of Sr. Clare Crockett's life offers us a blast of her joy, and a feel for just how much of a fight it was to choose every day. We get to marvel at the call of God that bursts into the life of an ordinary girl of Ireland. We are invited to walk through her gradual, stubborn, transformation into a religious sister. At times, we capture glimpses into her prayer, into the darkness and light revealed within as God does His work as the Divine Physician. And, we see her sacrifice. Not only at the end of her life - many would say "too short", she would say "in God's time" - but all the way through. The Lord asked her for sacrifice, of course, but she also chose sacrifice. To carry the cross, to trust in the darkness, to learn new languages and live in discomfort, to challenge a sinner, the sing when she was tired, to teach, to feed, to love, to pray, to smile. All entailed sacrifices, all were sustained by His grace, all shone with the kind of joy that only God can give.

2015. God was making saints in 2015, and He is so today as well. Are we willing to lift our crosses with a smile?

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book, highly recommended. 8/10 Some confreres commented that it seemed highly hagiographical--that it highlights and exaggerates her virtues over her humanity, but I didn't catch those vibes. Her humanity was what really made this book shine--especially her fiery Irish personality combined with her creative mind as an actress, and her ability to relate to children. This book (and her life) is truly inspirational, and should make us really consider what it means to love Christ alone in the 21st century.

[Marc Berube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, a very well told account of the life of an inspiring person who is also very relatable.

If you have watched the biography, the first quarter of the book will be not too much new, but stick around! After that it starts getting into when she kept a spiritual journal, and it is pure gold! The author does a good job of balancing what was happening to her on the outside with her interior life. Best book I've read in a while, highly recommend.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book! I was “introduced” to Sr. Clare in February 2020 at a weekend retreat. Her fellow Sisters, Sr. Kelly and Kira were guests who shared a documentary about her and gave talks throughout the weekend. I have been looking forward to this book since that time. It was wonderful to get to know Sr. Clare even more. All the photos at the end of each chapter were just wonderful.

[David Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister Clare’s notes give me encouragement to find a way to get closer to Mary, Jesus and my Heavenly Father. The video on her life gives me great inspirations and the book gives me even more encouragement.

[Lkb · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK! I'd seen the movie of her life (available on YouTube, highly recommended too) and was struck by her amazing radiance. I bought the book, thinking it was going to be basically the movie all over again. However, in addition to her basic, compelling story, samples of her writing are included that show her spiritual growth. This book and the movie inspire me to want to be like her: devout, joyful, generous, prayerful. This is what a modern saint should be and what we all can be.

[Helena Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Loved it very much.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Sr. Clare!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words truly fall short. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout every page of this book. I never leave reviews, but this moved me so deeply. I had to share. It’s powerful, inspiring, and a beautiful testimony of grace. I can only pray that the Lord grants me even a fraction of the graces Sister Clare was given. Sister Clare, Pray for Us. 🙏🏼

[Daniel Lugo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book!, what a life!

As they say, the book is always better than the movie. This is no exception.

Is as much a biography as it is a spiritual reading book. Her life is like an examination of conscience of how much are we truly pursuing hollines in our lives. Are we really trying? Are we really working towards Christian perfection? Or are we just content in our current state?

Sr. Clares life is inspiring. Her cause for sainthood is underway, and to my understanding she is close to been declared a Servant of God!

Awesome book, good storytelling, beautiful and inspiring life!

[Gerri Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our next millennial saint? I hope so.

I discovered this biography after watching the movie about Sr. Clare when it popped up in my YouTube feed. The beatification process for this amazing sister was opened just last month (January 2025).

I highly recommend this excellent biography. Both Sr. Clare's humanness and her quest for spiritual perfection are covered in a balanced, readable manner. She comes across as real, not as hagiographic. That alone will make this book appeal to younger readers who are always alert for fakery. But this book is for all ages. I'm a senior lady and was impressed by this young woman who turned away from an acting career to devote her life to God.

The biography is well written and flows well. The author is a Servant Sister of the Home of the Mother (as was Sr. Clare) and she knew Sr. Clare well.

[Rita M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire Within

This was an amazing read. I am so inspired by these Spiritual Women and I will keep asking for their intercession for my continued faith journey and to pray my children and grandchildren as well. Sr. Clare pray for us. Amen

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly wonderful account of a young woman's life. I would highly recommend this to everyone, it contains what can be a heartbreaking experience for those who walk with Christ

[Karen Smithson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational account of the life of a beautiful young Irish nun who lived for Christ alone-though her prayer, work, humor, and generosity of spirit.

[Jeff Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

I needed this book more than I knew. It was inspirational and got me thinking about my own spiritual life .

[Geraldine Roche]

Lovely Read
What a great lady Sr.Clare was should be a Saint I believe
May her gentle soul Rest in Peace xx

[BMT:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-changing

[Michael O'Connell]

Amazing read, well wort it, inspirational

[Santiago Vieto Rodríguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfull reading. The life of this picturesque sister is a magnificent example for todays youths.
Do you want to know how to find joy in suffering for love of God? This book will help you

[Bronagh Demeillers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most powerful and inspirational book I’ve read. Can’t be the same afterwards.

[Josip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book to enter into the spirit of sr. Clare, because it has a lot of inserts from her diary and a lot of imagines. Must read for everybody who had liked the film.

[Judgemental Toast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was such a good book! What an amazing conversion. 🥹💙