refused to marry at 15, she was moved by the dynamic preaching of
Francis. He became her lifelong friend and spiritual guide.
At 18, she escaped one night from her father’s home, was met on
the road by friars carrying torches, and in the poor little chapel called the
Portiuncula received a rough woolen habit, exchanged her jeweled belt for a
common rope with knots in it, and sacrificed the long tresses to Francis’
scissors. He placed her in a Benedictine convent, which her father and uncles
immediately stormed in rage. She clung to the altar of the church, threw aside
her veil to show her cropped hair and remained adamant.
End of movie material. Sixteen days later her sister Agnes joined
her. Others came. They lived a simple life of great poverty, austerity and
complete seclusion from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them
as a Second Order (Poor Clares). Francis obliged her under obedience at age 21
to accept the office of abbess, one she exercised until her death.
The nuns went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and
observed almost complete silence. (Later Clare, like Francis, persuaded her
sisters to moderate this rigor: “Our bodies are not made of brass.”) The greatest
emphasis, of course, was on gospel poverty. They possessed no property, even in
common, subsisting on daily contributions. When even the pope tried to persuade
her to mitigate this practice, she showed her characteristic firmness: “I need
to be absolved from my sins, but I do not wish to be absolved from the
obligation of following Jesus Christ.”
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.
Francis always remained her great friend and inspiration. She was
always obedient to his will and to the great ideal of gospel life which he was
making real.
A well-known story concerns her prayer and trust. She had the Blessed
Sacrament placed on the walls of the convent when it faced attack by invading
Saracens. “Does it please you, O God, to deliver into the hands of these beasts
the defenseless children I have nourished with your love? I beseech you, dear
Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect.” To her sisters she said,
“Don’t be afraid. Trust in Jesus.” The Saracens fled.
Stories:
On her deathbed, Clare was heard to say to herself: “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.”
On her deathbed, Clare was heard to say to herself: “Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.”
Comment:
The 41 years of Clare’s religious life are a scenario of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.
The 41 years of Clare’s religious life are a scenario of sanctity: an indomitable resolve to lead the simple, literal gospel life as Francis taught her; courageous resistance to the ever-present pressure to dilute the ideal; a passion for poverty and humility; an ardent life of prayer; and a generous concern for her sisters.
Patron Saint of:Eye disorders,Television
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