ST. CLARE OF ASSISI
(1194 - 1253)
Chiara, The Little Plant of St. Francis
Birth:
Born Chiara Offreduccio July 16, 1194 in Assisi, Italy, to a noble family, her mother Ortolana was already very pious. From childhood, Clare loved prayer and secretly gave food from her table to the poor, wearing sackcloth under her fine dresses.
Hearing Francis:
At age 15-16, she heard Francis preach during Lent in 1211 in San Giorgio church. She was struck by his joy in poverty. She met secretly with him and told him she wanted to follow Christ as he did.
The Flight:
On Palm Sunday of 1212 at age 18, she ran away from home at night. Francis and his brothers waited for her with torches at Portiuncula. There, she exchanged her silk gown for a rough habit and Francis cut her long blonde hair — the sign of giving her life to God. She first went to Benedictine convent, then Francis placed her at San Damiano, where she would live for 41 years.
Her Order:
Soon after, her sister Agnes (St. Agnes) joined her, then her mother and other noble ladies too. Pope Innocent III gave them ‘Privilegium Paupertatis,’ Privilege of Poverty to own nothing. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares), the Second Franciscan Order. She lived in strict enclosure, fasting, prayer.
Friendship with Francis:
St. Clare was Francis’ dearest friend and soul-sister. He called her “my little plant.” She washed his feet and nursed him when sick. When he was almost blind, he stayed near San Damiano. After his death, she was heartbroken but kept his spirit alive.
Miracles:
When Saracen soldiers attacked Assisi in 1244 and scaled San Damiano walls, Clare, though very ill, took the Blessed Sacrament in its monstrance, went to the window and prayed: “Does it please You, O Lord, to deliver into hands of these beasts Your defenseless children?” A voice answered: “I will have them always in My care.” The soldiers fell blind and fled.
Once when only one loaf of bread was left for 50 sisters, she blessed it and it multiplied to feed them all.
On another occasion when she was too sick to go to church on Christmas, she saw the Mass of the basilica projected on her convent wall, first ever live broadcast! That’s why she is patron of television.
She lived 41 years in one small convent, never leaving and changed the world by prayer!
Death
Clare died on August 11, 1253 at age 59. Her last words to herself were: “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He Who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother.”
She was canonized on September 26, 1255 by Pope Alexander IV, just 2 years after death.
Her feast day is celebrated on August 11.
Patron of:
St. Clare is the patron of Television, eye disease, embroiderers, launderers.
Sayings of St. Clare
