Saint Clare of Assisi

Biography

Saint Clare of Assisi, also known as Clara, Claire, or Chiara, was born on July 16, 1194, in Assisi, Italy. She was the daughter of a count, and her mother was the countess Blessed Orsolana. Unfortunately, Clare's father passed away when she was very young. At a young age, Clare heard Saint Francis of Assisi preaching in the streets, and she was deeply moved by his message. She confided in him her desire to live for God, and the two became close friends. This encounter with Saint Francis had a profound impact on Clare's life. On Palm Sunday in 1212, Clare's bishop presented her with a palm, which she interpreted as a sign from God. Filled with spiritual longing, Clare, along with her cousin Pacifica, ran away from her mother's palace at night to enter religious life. They sought refuge in the Church of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi, where Clare eventually took the veil from Saint Francis. Clare went on to found the Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Poor Clares, at San Damiano. She led the order for 40 years, and wherever the Franciscans established themselves throughout Europe, the Poor Clares would also establish themselves. The order relied solely on alms, thus requiring complete faith in God's providence through people. This approach was novel at the time since they lacked land-based revenues. Clare's mother and sisters later joined the order, and the Poor Clares continue to exist today, living lives of silence and prayer. Clare herself possessed many admirable qualities such as humility, mercy, charm, optimism, and chivalry. Every day, she would meditate on the Passion of Jesus and show great love for her sisters. Clare had a deep love for music and well-composed sermons. She exhibited remarkable selflessness, often getting up late at night to tuck in her sisters who had kicked off their blankets. When she learned of the Franciscan martyrs in Morocco in 1221, she desired to go there to give her own life for God, but she was restrained. On one occasion, when her convent was about to be attacked, Clare took the bold step of displaying the Sacrament in a monstrance at the convent gates and prayed before it. Miraculously, the attackers left, and the house was saved. This event became one of her emblems, and she is often depicted holding a monstrance. Clare's patronage of eyes and against eye problems may have developed from her name, which carries connotations of clearness, brightness, and brilliance, much like healthy eyes. Toward the end of her life, when she could no longer attend Mass due to her illness, an image of the service would appear on the wall of her cell. This led to her patronage of television. Throughout her life, Clare maintained a close friendship with Saint Francis. It is believed that he guided her soul into the light at the time of her death. Saint Clare passed away on August 11, 1253, due to natural causes. She was canonized as a saint by Pope Alexander IV on September 26, 1255. Saint Clare is revered as the patroness against eye diseases, embroiderers, eyes, for good weather, gilders, gold workers, goldsmiths, laundry workers, needle workers, telegraphs, telephones, television (proclaimed on February 14, 1958, by Pope Pius XII), television writers, the Poor Clares, Assisi, Italy, and Santa Clara Indian Pueblo. Her feast days are celebrated on August 11, formerly August 12, September 23 (feast of the finding of her body), and October 3 (feast of her first translation). Saint Clare of Assisi's life exemplifies the virtues of devotion, selflessness, and unwavering faith in God's providence.