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Saint
Clare of Assisi
Feast day August 11
Clare rejected the life her noble
Italian family had planned for her. At age 15 she refused to marry. But
the day she heard St. Francis preach, she found what her heart had been
searching for. She knew she wanted to be like Francis and live a humble
life dedicated to Jesus.
At age 18, Clare escaped from her parents’ home. Francis brought
her to a Benedictine convent where she was given a brown habit and a rope
for a belt. When Clare’s father and uncles arrived to bring her
home, Clare clung to the altar. Sixteen days later, Clare’s sister,
St. Agnes, joined her.
Under Francis’ guidance, Clare became the founder and abbess of
an order of nuns. They lived in a convent at San Damiano in Assisi. Today
this order of nuns is known as the Poor Clares. The nuns ate no meat,
wore no shoes, slept on the ground, and were mostly silent. Yet, they
were happy serving the Lord.
People remarked about Clare’s prayer life and her trust in God.
One time, soldiers came to attack Assisi. She told the nuns not to be
afraid and to trust in Jesus. Then, Clare prayed to God for protection
and the soldiers fled.
