St. Clare of Assisi (August 11th)

Edited by Bp. Joseph Boyd (Ancient  Church of the West) 

Today, we celebrate St. Clare of Assisi, Franciscan Abbess and Miracle Worker (August 11th)

Clare was born in Assisi during the Crusades era, the eldest daughter of Favarone or Favorino Sciffi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and his wife Ortolana. Traditional accounts say that Clare's father was a wealthy representative of an ancient Roman family, who owned a large palace in Assisi and a castle on the slope of Mount Subasio. Clare’s mother and sisters joined her in the monastic life, and her sister, Agnes, was also declared a saint after her death.

Deeply influenced by St. Francis of Assisi, Clare refused to marry, as her parents wished, and fled to the Porziuncola Chapel below Assisi. On March 18, 1212, St. Francis received her vows, and thus began the Second Order (women’s order) of St. Francis. Many joined Clare, and soon the Poor Clares were housed in the church and convent of San Damiano, near Assisi. Clare became abbess there in 1216.

Besides its “privilege of perfect poverty,” forbidding the ownership of property even by the community, Clare’s order is noted for its apostolic aim: she considered its penitential prayer life a spiritually vitalizing force for church and society. Their monastic practice was first established upon the Benedictine Tradition, and soon incorporated the full Franciscan praxis, as it was approved by their bishops.

The citizens of Assisi credited Clare with twice saving their city from destruction. On the first occasion, Clare caused the convent chaplain to elevate the Host at the refectory window, whereupon the Moorish troops, who were storming the walls, fell back. On the second occasion, when a larger force headed by Gen. Vitale d’Aversa besieged Assisi, Clare and her nuns fervently prayed, and a great storm dispersed the attackers.

In her later years, Clare endured a long period of poor health. She died on 11 August 1253 at the age of 59. Her last words as reported to have been, "Blessed be Thou, O God, for having created me."

The Prayer of St. Clare of Assisi:

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. Amen.