Saint Clare of Assisi

Feast Day: August 11th

St. Clare was co-foundress of what is known today as the Order of the Poor Clares, Abbess of San Damiano

As a child she was very pious, devoted to prayer and penance. At the age of 18 she met St. Francis who had come to preach at the church of San Giorgio. Inspired by his words and example, Saint Clare went to him to ask him to help her live a religious life of poverty. St. Francis, who at once recognized in Clare one of those chosen souls destined by God, promised to assist her.

Leaving home in secret, she met with St. Francis and his disciples whereupon St. Francis clothed her in a rustic tunic. Her father of Noble Ascent tried to persuade her to return to marry. After resisting her father’s attempt to drag her home, he finally relinquished, whereupon St. Francis provided her a dwelling next to the Chapel of San Damiano. Thus, was founded the first community of the order of Poor Clares.

Given the special privilege to practice total poverty in her order by Pope Gregory IX she heroically continued her mission to preach poverty throughout.

Saint Clare’s miracles too were talked of far and wide. Here is a magnificent example:

Once, during an enemy attack against Assisi, the fierce Saracens invaded San Damiano, entered the confines of the monastery and even the very cloister.

Fainting in terror, their voices trembling with fear, they cried out to their Mother, Saint Clare. What happened next was recorded by the Franciscan friar, Tommaso da Celano:

“Saint Clare, with a fearless heart, commanded them to lead her, sick as she was, to the enemy, preceded by a silver and ivory case in which the Body of the Saint of saints was kept with great devotion.

And prostrating herself before the Lord, she spoke tearfully to her Christ:

‘Behold, my Lord, is it possible You want to deliver into the hands of pagans Your defenseless handmaids, whom I have taught out of love for You? I pray You, Lord, protect these Your handmaids whom I cannot now save by myself.’

Suddenly a voice like that of a child resounded in her ears from the tabernacle:

‘I will always protect you!’

‘My Lord,’ she added, ‘if it is Your wish, protect also this city which is sustained by Your love.’

Christ replied, ‘It will have to undergo trials, but it will be defended by My protection.’

Then the virgin, raising a face bathed in tears, comforted the sisters:

‘I assure you, daughters, that you will suffer no evil; only have faith in Christ.’

Upon seeing the courage of the sisters, the Saracens took flight and fled back over the walls they had scaled, unnerved by the strength of she who prayed.

Then, Saint Clare immediately admonished those who heard the voice I spoke of above, telling them severely: ‘Take care not to tell anyone about that voice while I am still alive, dearest daughters.’”

The miracles performed during her life by this first spiritual daughter of St. Francis were indeed numerous. Her confidence in her divine Spouse was total and unconditional. Having once renounced all earthly possessions for love of Him, she tenaciously thwarted every attempt – even by several well-meaning popes – to mitigate the absolute poverty she and her religious sisters had so willingly embraced.

After St. Francis’ death in 1226 and until her own in 1253, Clare continued to hold fast to the counsels St. Francis had given her and to direct the order in the true spirit of its founder: total renunciation of all earthly possessions and an unconquerable faith and confidence in Divine Providence.

Written by America Needs Fatima, July 9, 2015

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