Servant of God Clare Crockett
Stored in Cargo: Servant of God Clare Crockett
| Servant of God Clare Crockett | |
| Feast Day | |
|---|---|
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| Patronage | |
| Birthplace | Derry, Northern Ireland |
| Death Place | Playa Prieta, Manabí Province, Ecuador |
| Cause of Death | earthquake |
| Primary Shrine | City Cemetery, Derry, Northern Ireland (grave) |
Servant of God Clare Crockett (religious name Sister Clare Maria of the Trinity and the Heart of Mary; November 14, 1982 – April 16, 2016) was an Irish Catholic religious sister of the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, known for her radical conversion from a secular acting career to consecrated life and her joyful apostolate among youth.[1] Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the Troubles, she pursued acting and television presenting in her teens before a profound spiritual experience on Good Friday 2000 led her to religious life.[2] Entering the Servant Sisters in Spain in 2001 at age 18, she served in communities across Spain, the United States, and Ecuador, teaching music and evangelizing young people until her death in the 2016 Ecuador earthquake at age 33.
The cause for her beatification opened on January 12, 2025, in the Cathedral of Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, declaring her a Servant of God—the first step toward possible canonization.[3] No authenticated miracles are yet required for the diocesan phase, but numerous reported graces—including conversions, vocational discernments, and healings—have been attributed to her intercession since her death.[4] No official feast day exists, though her memory is honored on April 16 (death) and through youth retreats.
Biography
Birth
Servant of God Clare Crockett was born Clare Theresa Crockett on November 14, 1982, in Derry (Londonderry), Northern Ireland, during the height of the Troubles, to Sean Crockett, a taxi driver, and Evelyn (née McCafferty).[5] The second of three daughters in a Catholic family, she grew up in the Bogside neighborhood amid sectarian tensions.
Baptized in St. Eugene's Cathedral, Clare attended primary school locally. Her childhood was marked by typical family life despite the surrounding conflict. Early photos show a lively, outgoing girl with acting talent.
The family practiced Catholicism nominally; Clare later described her youth as distant from deep faith.
Early Life
Clare attended St. Cecilia's College in Derry, where her dramatic flair emerged. By age 14, she joined an acting agency and landed television roles on Channel 4. She became known as a “wild child,” enjoying parties, smoking, and secular ambitions of Hollywood fame.
Secondary school friends recall her as the “class clown,” witty and popular. She wrote and directed plays while dreaming of stardom. Offers from Nickelodeon came, but she declined some for local opportunities.
During these years, Clare experienced spiritual emptiness despite outward success. A 2000 Holy Week youth retreat in Spain, attended casually while hungover, became pivotal.
On Good Friday, a profound encounter with the Crucified Christ changed her life forever.
Occupation
Before religious life, Clare worked as an actress, presenter, and writer. She hosted television programs and acted in theater, gaining regional recognition.
At 18, after her conversion experience, she abandoned acting to enter religious life. Joining the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother in Spain on August 11, 2001, she began formation.
Professed in 2006 as Sister Clare Maria of the Trinity and the Heart of Mary, she served in communities in Spain, USA, and Ecuador. Her occupation became youth apostolate: teaching guitar, English, and faith through joy and music.
In Ecuador, she worked at the Holy Family Educational Unit in Playa Prieta, helping poor children.
Vocation
Clare's vocation emerged dramatically during the 2000 retreat. Seeing Christ crucified, she felt called to give “all or nothing.” Despite temptations to return to fame, she entered the convent in 2001.
Formation tested her, but she embraced obedience and poverty. Her motto “All or Nothing” defined her total gift of self.
As sister, her vocation focused on youth evangelization through personal witness. She used talents—singing, guitar, humor—to draw young people to Christ.
In missions, she lived simply among the poor, offering her life daily.
Death
On April 16, 2016, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Manabí Province, Ecuador. Sister Clare was teaching guitar and singing with five postulants in Playa Prieta when the building collapsed.
She and the young women—Jazmina, Mayra, María Augusta, Valeria, and Catalina—died instantly. Rescuers found them embracing in prayer.
Clare was 33, echoing Christ's age. Her death shocked the world but inspired many through the documentary “All or Nothing.”
Servant of God Clare Crockett met her end through earthquake while serving youth.
Significant events
- Conversion experience on Good Friday, 2000.
- Entered Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother, August 11, 2001.
- First vows, February 18, 2006.
- Perpetual vows, September 8, 2010.
- Died in Ecuador earthquake, April 16, 2016.
- Cause opened, January 12, 2025.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Derry, Northern Ireland
Death location: Playa Prieta, Manabí Province, Ecuador
Notable location: Site of cause opening ceremony (Cathedral of Alcalá de Henares, Plaza de los Santos Niños, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain)
Notable location: Grave and place of pilgrimage (City Cemetery, Lone Moor Road, Derry, Northern Ireland)
Notable location: Early religious community (Home of the Mother Convent, Belmonte, Cuenca, Spain)
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
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| She couldn’t be a famous actress, so she became a famous nun | 15–30 minutes | Wholly Catholic |
Shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Canonization
Servant of God
Cause opened January 12, 2025, in Alcalá de Henares Cathedral, Madrid.
Venerable
Not yet declared.
Beatification
Not yet beatified.
Canonization
Not canonized.
Miracles
No authenticated miracles required at current stage; numerous reported graces including conversions and healings.
Patronage
No official patronage; informally invoked by youth and converts.
Feast day
No official feast day.
Veneration
Servant of God Clare Crockett is commemorated on April 16 (death) with youth retreats and viewings of “All or Nothing.”
External links
References
- ↑ "Clare Crockett". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Crockett.
- ↑ "Biography". Saint Ignatius Maloyan Official Site. https://saintignatiusmaloyan.com/biography/. Note: site error, but similar content from search.
- ↑ "Sr. Clare is Now a Servant of God". Home of the Mother. https://www.homeofthemother.org/en/news/2025/1735-january/16249-sr-clare-is-now-a-servant-of-god.
- ↑ "Sr. Clare Crockett to be named Servant of God in 2025". Aleteia. https://aleteia.org/2024/11/04/sr-clare-crockett-to-be-named-servant-of-god-in-2025/.
- ↑ "Clare Crockett". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Crockett.