St Clare (1194-1253)
Saint, Founder of the Order of Poor Clares, One of the first followers of Francis of Assisi
1194
St. Clare of Assisi was born into the nobility of Assisi (July 16)
1212
(Palm Sunday) After hearing St. Francis preach, Clare secretly left her stately home and never returned. In the Church of ‘Our Lady of the Angels’, Francis, clothed Clare in sackcloth and cut off her hair, signaling her renunciation of the world. She took the veil of religious life from Francis and from that moment vowed to live her life entirely in the service of Jesus, her heavenly spouse.
The Poor Clares, officially the Order of Saint Clare was founded. St. Clare followed her path unwaveringly, adopting the rule of St. Benedict tempered with Francis’s preaching of poverty. She soon gathered a large female following at San Damiano and Francis urged her to set up a convent there. She did so and became abbess of the new community. Clare’s mother and sisters later joined the order.
1224
St. Clare defended her convent from Saracen invaders by holding up the Blessed Sacrament and praying for protection.
1252
(Christmas Eve) Clare’s illness was keeping her from Mass in the new Basilica of St. Francis. Suddenly, she was blessed with a vision of the Mass on her wall, both hearing and seeing it miraculously from several miles away. Because of this vision, she has been pronounced the patron saint of television and the patron of sore eyes.
1253
(August 11) St. Clare died in Assisi.
1255
(September 26) Clare was canonized by Pope Alexander IV.
Books
Discover the life of St. Clare, read her story and be inspired by her faith, courage, and simplicity.
Clare of Assisi: Early Documents (1988)
by Regis J. Armstrong O.F.M.Cap. (Editor)
Movies
Draw inspiration from St. Clare on your journey of faith
Chiara
2022
Directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli, Written by Susanna Nicchiarelli
