Saint Clare
Feast day: August 11
Saint Clare of Assisi, founder of the Poor Clares, who lived in poverty and loved the Eucharist (11/08).
Who is she?
Saint Clare was the first woman disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, now usually called the Poor Clares, whose sisters live in convents and pray for the Church and for the world. She is the patron saint of television.
Life story
Clare was born in 1194 in Assisi, Italy, into a wealthy family. Her family wanted her to marry a rich man, but she did not want to. When she heard Saint Francis preach about the poor Jesus, her heart burned with the desire to belong entirely to God.
At 18, one night, she quietly left home to join Saint Francis and the brothers. Saint Francis cut her hair and gave her a habit of rough cloth. Her family came to take her back, but she firmly stayed with God. Soon after, her younger sister Agnes came to join her.
The sisters lived in the little convent of San Damiano, very poor: no possessions, simple food, work and prayer. At 21, Saint Francis asked her to become abbess, and she held that role all her life. She served her sisters like a mother: caring for the sick ones and tucking blankets around the sisters at night.
According to an old biography of her, in 1240 a band of mercenary soldiers came intending to break into the convent. Even though she was ill, she had the Eucharist brought to the place where the soldiers were about to enter, knelt to pray, and told her sisters something like: “Don’t be afraid; trust in Jesus.” The soldiers took fright and left.
One Christmas Eve, she was too sick to go to the chapel. According to tradition, God let her hear and see the Mass from her sickbed. That is why, in 1958, Pope Pius XII chose her as the patron saint of television. She died on 11 August 1253 and was canonized in 1255.
Why is she a saint?
Saint Clare gave up all her riches to have only one treasure: Jesus. She trusted God completely, lived humbly, served her sisters and prayed constantly for everyone.
A lesson for you
- When you are afraid, pray to Jesus, or stop by the church to talk with Jesus in the Eucharist.
- Practice being happy with what you have; don’t keep asking for new clothes or toys.
- When you watch TV or use social media, choose good things that help you come closer to God.
Identifying marks
- A monstrance (the Eucharist) on an altar: when soldiers attacked the convent, she had the Eucharist brought out and asked God to protect them. The old story speaks of a silver box holding the Eucharist; later pictures and statues show it as a monstrance.
- Hands joined in prayer: she lived a contemplative life of prayer and adoration of Jesus in the Eucharist.
- A brown habit, a cord with three knots and a black veil: the poor habit of the Poor Clares; the three knots recall the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
- A white lily (*): a sign of the purity of someone who gives her whole life to God.
(*) Only in some pictures and statues.
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