Saint Clare of Assisi

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Franciscan, Saint Clare

“We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become.”~~Saint Clare of Assisi

Today, August 11, is the Feast Day of Saint Clare, Founder of the Second Order Franciscans, the Poor Clares.

On Palm Sunday of 1212, 17-year-old Clare escaped from the home of her noble parents in Assisi to join Saint Francis. After receiving her vows in religion, cutting off her hair, and giving her a habit to replace her satin finery, Francis placed her in a Benedictine convent. Soon he was able to establish her in the church and convent of San Damiano, where she lived for more than 40 years as head of a community of contemplative nuns. Her sister, Agnes, and her mother became part of her religious order, which spread even in Clare’s lifetime to Germany and Bohemia. Clare is said to have routed the soldiers of Frederick II by her faith in the Blessed Sacrament.

The bond of love between Francis and Clare was strong and significant, though they saw each other only rarely. The example of their love for God, each other, and the whole family of God informs and inspires all Franciscan orders to this day. Clare died two days after receiving the Pope’s approval of her rule binding the Poor Clares to the Franciscan ideal of complete poverty.

Collect: God of peace, who in the holiness of blessed Clare gave us a clear light to shine in the darkness of this world: Give us grace to follow in her footsteps that we may, at the last, rejoice with her in your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~From the Devotional Companion of the Third Order, Society of Saint Francis, Province of the Americas

Clare was a vessel of humility, a shrine of chastity, a flame of love, the essence of kindness, the strength of patience, the bond of peace, and the source of loving unity in her community.

~~Document of Canonization

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Saint Clare of Assisi

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Clare, the founder of the Second Order of Franciscans. Most people are familiar with her history, so briefly: Chiara Offreduccio ran away from home to join Francis when she was 18. Francis promptly stuck her in Benedictine Monastery, but as soon as possible, she was transferred to San Damiano where she founded the Poor Ladies (or Clares, as they are now called) and lived for the next 40 years. She was later joined  by both her sister, Agnes, and her mother.

Saint Francis was 12 years older than Clare, and until his death in 1226 served as her spiritual guide and mentor. They maintained a very special relationship although they almost never saw each other. Nevertheless, their love for each other carried them each through some particularly hard times, and it is difficult now not to think of one when you think of the other. Clare died in 1253.

Neither Francis nor Clare were exceptionally prolific in their writings, but both left behind much to ponder. Below is one of Clare’s more notable quotes:

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.

He Christ is the splendor of eternal glory, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud.

Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him.

I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Thy majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed every day, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine.

Totally love Him, Who gave Himself totally for your love.