St. Clare of Assisi

St. Clare of Assisi was a 13th-century Italian nun and mystic who is known for her deep devotion to God and her role in the establishment of the Poor Clares, a religious order for women. She was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1194, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. From a young age, Clare displayed a deep religious devotion and a love for prayer.

In 1212, at the age of 18, Clare heard St. Francis of Assisi preaching in the church of San Giorgio in Assisi and was deeply moved by his message of poverty and love for God. She left her home and family to join Francis and his followers. Francis cut her hair, dressed her in a simple habit, and sent her to a Benedictine monastery where she could live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

In 1212, she founded the Order of Poor Ladies, known today as the Poor Clares, a religious order of women who live a life of poverty and seclusion, dedicated to prayer and service to the poor. Clare served as the abbess of the order, and her spiritual teachings and writings have since been a major inspiration to the Poor Clares, and numerous other religious congregations throughout the centuries.

Clare’s deep spiritual devotion and commitment to poverty, humility and detachment from worldly goods, made her a powerful spiritual leader and an inspiration for many, Her writings and letters, many of which are still extant, reveal her deep contemplative life, her devotion to the Church, and her concern for the needs of the poor.

During her lifetime, Clare was also known for her mystical experiences and supernatural gifts such as levitation, bi-location and receiving the stigmata. Her extreme devotion and spiritual practices made her a figure of great holiness and devotion for her contemporaries.

Clare died on August 11, 1253, at the age of 59. She was canonized by Pope Alexander IV in 1255, and her feast day is celebrated on August 11. She was also declared as the patron saint of Television by Pope Pius XII in 1958 due to her mystical experiences that were said to be similar to watching a vision.

St. Clare of Assisi is remembered for her deep devotion to God, her spiritual teachings and writings, and her role in the establishment of the Poor Clares. Her commitment to poverty, humility, and detachment from worldly goods continues to inspire many people today, as well as her legacy as a spiritual leader and guide to other religious orders. Her writings, which have been preserved and studied, are considered an important source of spiritual insight and inspiration.

Clare’s life and her teachings have also been an inspiration to many lay people, and her example of love and service to the poor continues to be relevant and inspiring today. Many people continue to seek her intercession and guidance through prayer to this day.

Life of St. Clare

Saint Clare was born of noble parents in 1196, in the city of Assisi. Her mother was a woman of great holiness. Before Clare’s birth she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, a long and arduous journey in those days. On her return, just before her daughter’s birth, as she was praying before the crucifix in the monastery at Assisi for the safe delivery of her child, she heard a voice saying to her: “Have no fear, woman; you will bear your child safely, and she will be a torch to give a clear light to the world”.

Meeting St. Francis of Assisi

So when the child was born soon after, she called her Clare, for in Latin the word clara means ‘shining’ or ‘bright’. Clare never left Assisi. She was carefully taught and cared for by her mother. The child’s greatest joy was to give alms to the beggars. In the Lent of 1212, when Clare was fifteen years old, St. Francis began to preach at Assisi, and Clare was one of the many who flocked to hear him. Every word he uttered found an echo in her heart, and she wished to follow him.

For three years, however, Francis kept Clare in suspense. It had not yet entered into his plan to provide for women in his apostolic work. It is said that to try the strength of Clare’s pm St. Francis bade her put on coarse clothes and beg bread through the streets of Assisi, and she did so unra nized in her disguise. He did not allow her to change h way of life in her own home, but bade her keep her heart poor and lowly under the rich clothes her parents provided for her.

After three years of hesitations, anxieties and difficulties, on the eve of Palm Sunday, Clare went to St. Francis and begged him to receive her into his Order. Seeing her great determination, he bade her come to the church of St. Mary of the Angels the following night to make her vows to him and his Brothers. At the appointed time Clare made her vows, and, putting on the Franciscan dress and the rough cord round her waist, she was received into the Franciscan Order. Temporarily she stayed at the Benedictine convent of San Paolo at Bastia.

Forty Years of Prayer

Her father and relatives were furious, but Clare remained adamant in her determination. A few days later she moved to the convent of St. Angelo Michele, about a mile from the city, and her sister Agnes joined her. For forty years Clare was enclosed in her convent at San Damiano, where she practiced the greatest austerity. She was filled to overflowing with God’s grace, and lived in unceasing communion with Him in prayer and contemplation. Her miracles were all worked in direct answer to prayer.

Bishops and Cardinals visited Clare in her poor conent She was joined by several women of her own family. After the death of St. Francis, in 1226, Clare was thrown on her own resources. In 1253, after many cruel illnesses and great mental suffering, Clare lay on her deathbed. For seventeen days she endured her agony, but no word of complaint ever passed her lips. It was on August 11, 1253, that she died, and as the chronicles say, “she had, for the poor life of poverty and bitterness, the blessed kingdom of Paradise”. With great ceremony the Requiem Mass was sung in the presence of Pope Innocent IV and the Cardinals. At the wish of the people of Assisi, St. Clare’s body was placed in the church of San Giorgio, where it has rested ever since. Pope Alexander IV inscribed her name in the catalogue of the Saints on August 12, 1255

 

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Prayers to St. Clare of Assisi

St. Clare, Intercessor for those Seeking Simplicity

Dear St. Clare, you embraced a life of poverty and simplicity, renouncing worldly possessions and devoting yourself completely to God. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is seeking to simplify their life and live more in accordance with God’s will. Please pray that they may have the grace to let go of material possessions and live a life of love and service to others. Amen.

St. Clare, Protector of the Sick

Dear St. Clare, you were known for your care and compassion for the sick. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is suffering from an illness and is in need of physical and spiritual healing. Please pray that they may be blessed with a full and speedy recovery, and that they may find peace and comfort in the love of God. Amen.

St. Clare, Intercessor for Religious Life

Dear St. Clare, you founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a religious order dedicated to living a life of poverty and service to others. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is considering a religious vocation and is in need of guidance and direction. Please pray that they may have the courage to follow God’s will for their life, and that they may be blessed with the grace to fulfill their vocation with joy and commitment. Amen.

St. Clare, Protector of the Persecuted

Dear St. Clare, you were known for your bravery in the face of persecution and for your unwavering faith in the face of adversity. I ask for your intercession for (insert name or intention), who is facing persecution or discrimination because of their faith. Please pray that they may be blessed with the strength and courage to remain steadfast in their beliefs, and that they may find peace and comfort in the love of God. Amen.

 

St. Clare of Assisi: The Patron Saint of Television and Eye Diseases

St. Clare of Assisi, born in 1194, was a Italian nun and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. She was known for her deep devotion to God and her strong commitment to living a life of poverty and simplicity. She was declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 1255 and is considered the patron saint of television and eye diseases.

St. Clare lived a life of deep devotion to God, and was known for her prayer and fasting. She was a strong advocate for living a life of poverty and simplicity, and her writings and teachings continue to inspire people around the world. In addition to her spiritual life, St. Clare was also known for her care for the sick and the poor, and for her kindness and compassion.

St. Clare is recognized as the patron saint of television and eye diseases because of a miracle that is said to have taken place in her life. According to legend, during a siege of her convent, St. Clare was unable to attend Mass. She prayed to be able to see the Mass from her sickbed, and a vision of the Mass appeared on the wall of her cell, allowing her to participate from a distance. This event is said to have resulted in her being declared the patron saint of television.

St. Clare is also recognized as the patron saint of eye diseases because of her own struggles with poor eyesight. Despite her own struggles, she was known for her compassion and care for those who were suffering, and she continues to be remembered for her kindness and devotion to God.

St. Clare’s Legacy

The legacy of St. Clare continues to inspire people around the world. Her commitment to living a life of devotion and her example as a woman of faith continue to serve as a source of inspiration for those who seek to live a life of purpose and meaning. She is remembered for her kindness and generosity, and for her deep devotion to God and to those in need.

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History of the Poor Clares

The Poor Clares, also known as the Order of Saint Clare, is a contemplative religious order of nuns that was founded in the 13th century. The order was established by Saint Clare of Assisi, a close friend and follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, and has a long and rich history that continues to this day.

Saint Clare was born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy in the year 1194. At the age of 18, she was inspired by Saint Francis’s message of poverty and renunciation of worldly goods and decided to join him in his mission. Saint Francis helped her establish the Order of Poor Ladies, which would later become known as the Poor Clares. The order was established as a response to the growing popularity of the Franciscan movement and its commitment to poverty and simplicity.

In 1212, Saint Clare and her followers moved to the San Damiano monastery outside of Assisi, where they lived a life of poverty, prayer, and contemplation. The Poor Clares were dedicated to serving the poor and caring for the sick, and they quickly gained a reputation for their selfless devotion to their work.

Over the next several centuries, the Poor Clares spread throughout Italy and Europe, and by the 14th century, they had established monasteries in almost every major city in Europe. During this time, the order faced many challenges, including political upheavals, the Black Death, and the Protestant Reformation. Despite these challenges, the Poor Clares remained true to their commitment to poverty and devotion, and the order continued to grow and flourish.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Poor Clares faced new challenges as the world around them changed rapidly. Many monasteries were closed or suppressed during this time, and the order faced declining numbers of members and increased competition from other religious orders. Despite these difficulties, the Poor Clares continued to persevere and remain faithful to their mission.

Today, the Poor Clares continue to be an important part of the Catholic Church, with monasteries and communities of nuns established around the world. They remain committed to their original mission of poverty, prayer, and service to the poor and continue to inspire others with their devotion and selflessness.

The history of the Poor Clares is a rich and inspiring one that spans over 800 years. Despite the many challenges and difficulties they have faced, the Poor Clares have remained steadfast in their commitment to poverty, prayer, and service, and continue to be an important part of the Catholic Church and a source of inspiration for all those who seek to live a life of faith and devotion.

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Reflection on the feast day of St. Clare of Assisi

The feast day of St. Clare of Assisi is celebrated on August 11th.

St. Clare of Assisi was a 13th-century Italian woman who is known for her deep devotion to God and her commitment to living a life of poverty and simplicity. She was a follower of St. Francis of Assisi and became the first woman to live the Franciscan way of life. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, which later became known as the Poor Clares.

One of the main themes of St. Clare’s teachings is the importance of simplicity and detachment from material possessions. She believed that true holiness comes from living a simple and humble life, free from the distractions and temptations of worldly wealth and status. Her example of living a life of poverty and simplicity is a powerful reminder of the importance of detachment from material possessions in order to live a deeper spiritual life.

Another important aspect of St. Clare’s spirituality is her emphasis on the importance of contemplation and union with God. She believed that through deep contemplation and union with God, one could attain a deeper understanding of God’s love and grace. This is exemplified in her writings, which include several prayers and hymns that express her deep devotion to God.

In reflecting on the feast day of St. Clare of Assisi, we are reminded of the importance of simplicity, detachment from material possessions, and contemplative prayer in our own spiritual journey. Let us strive to follow in her example and to live a simple and humble life, free from the distractions and temptations of worldly wealth and status. May St. Clare intercede for us and guide us on our spiritual journey.

In this feast day, we are also called to reflect on our own lives, and to ask ourselves, how are we living a simple life, how are we detached from material possessions and how are we cultivating contemplation and union with God in our lives. May St. Clare of Assisi intercede for us and guide us in our spiritual journey, as we follow her example of living a life of poverty, simplicity, and union with God.

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