“Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:3
Can you name two saints who lived in the town of Assisi? Saint Francis likely comes to mind right away, but have you heard of his friend Saint Clare? In the year 1212, at the age of 18, she ran away from home to pursue a life of poverty and piety like Francis. This didn’t sit well with her family, who literally tried to drag her away from such a radical vocation, but to no avail.
Soon other “Poor Ladies” joined Clare, including her own sister Agnes. With the help of Francis the fledgling group of religious women took up residence in a small convent attached to the chapel of San Damiano, where Francis first heard the call from Christ to go and rebuild the Church.
A A view of the refectory of San Damiano, where the nuns would eat. Note the word "silentium" (silence) written on the wall.
Another view the refectory. The white flowers indicate the spot where Saint Clare was typically seated.
A A view of the inner courtyard of the convent at San Damiano
Within the confines of the cloister the followers of Poor Clare practiced extreme austerity, so as to be conformed to the Crucified Christ. Following the footsteps of Francis, they rejected the world in a quite absolute way and renounced all personal property. They went barefoot, abstained from meat, and slept on the floor. They wore a simple habit and maintained a sacred silence throughout most of the day.
Clare’s life was characterized by intense prayer and countless acts of charity toward her sisters. She maintained a close friendship with Francis and cared for him through the illnesses of his later years, particularly after he received the stigmata wounds. She also demonstrated great virtue by suffering patiently through her own illnesses for the majority of her life. Her reputation for holiness was such that it even attracted the attention of bishops, cardinals and the pope. These Church leaders often visited her for advice and consultation.
The beautiful Saint Clare Basilica and the countryside of Assisi
One of the most heroic stories about Saint Clare has to do with her faith in the Eucharist. Around the year 1234, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II had stationed Saracen Muslim mercenaries in the area around Assisi. One night a group of these soldiers attacked the convent at San Damiano. As they scaled the walls Clare retrieved the ciborium containing the Blessed Sacrament from the chapel. She took it to an open window and held it up before the invaders. They fell down at once and fled.
On August 11, 1253 Clare passed on to her eternal reward, surrounded by her fellow Poor Ladies, who would later come to be known as the Order of Saint Clare, or the Poor Clares. Only two years after her death, Clare was canonized a saint. She is buried beneath the Basilica in Assisi that bears her name, and her feast is commemorated on the date of her death.
Saint Clare please pray for us, that we may grow in the virtues of simplicity, faith, and love!
Merciful Father, thank you for blessing the Church with great saints such as Clare. Grant us the grace to follow them in being counter-cultural witnesses of Your love. Amen.
