St. Clare was one of the early followers of St. Francis of Assisi. In 2012 the Franciscan family celebrates the 800th anniversary of Clare's decision to leave her family for a life of poverty and ministry.
St. Clare of Assisi
from Saint of the Day
Contemporary
accounts glow with admiration of her life in the convent of San Damiano in Assisi. She served the sick, waited on table, washed the feet of the begging nuns. She came from prayer, it was said, with her face so shining it dazzled those about her. She suffered serious illness for the last 27 years of her life. Her influence was such that popes, cardinals and bishops often came to consult her—she never left the walls of San Damiano. Click here to read the full account.
Fr. Greg Friedman, O.F.M. reflects on the life of St. Clare:
Honoring St. Clare of Assisi
from Friar Jack's E-spirations
It was August 11, 1993. I had just taken lunch at St. Francis Friary, our Franciscan headquarters across the street from the St. Anthony Messenger
Press building. I have worked as an editor and writer there for many
years. After lunch, I stopped to say a prayer in the friary chapel. At
the foot of the altar, I noticed a picture of Sts. Francis and Clare of
Assisi standing together. The picture had been placed there because of
St. Clare’s feast. Click here to read the full article.
Celebrating St. Clare of Assisi
Sister Claire André Gagliardi, O.S.C.
Within each of us is
the potential to be a light focusing attention on God's presence in our
world. Clare of Assisi's life reveals just how much light she shed.
As a friend and as cofounder of the Franciscan movement, she supported
Francis as he discerned God's message for himself and his followers.
Together with her sisters, she wrote the first Rule written for
religious women by a woman. She modeled the ability for the authority or power of a group to be held by the entire group.
Click here to read the article from St. Anthony Messenger
Clare's Lesson
Excerpt from To
Live as Francis Lived: A Guide for Secular Franciscans,
by Leonard Foley, O.F.M.,
Jovian Weigel, O.F.M., and Patti Normile, S.F.O.
What
does Clare teach us about following Jesus? She teaches us to follow
Francis, who followed Jesus so perfectly and so literally in pursuit
of poverty, desiring nothing more than the Lord. Clare teaches us that
we can be committed faithful followers of Francis and of Jesus while
doing it in our own unique way in accord with our circumstances in life. Click here to read the excerpt.
Find more about St. Clare, St. Francis and other Franciscan resources in the Franciscan Media online catalog.
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