The Feast of St. Clare

St. Clare of Assisi

Today is the Feast Day of St. Clare. To better understand her as a companion of St. Francis, I have included a brief summary of her life as told on the catholic.org website's summaries of saints.


St. Clare of Assisi
Feast Day: August 11th
Patron Saint of Television, Telecommunications, Eye disorders, Embroiderers
 
St. Clare of Assisi (1194-1253) was one of the Church's great saints and the foundress of the Order of Poor Clares. Inspired by the example of St. Francis of Assisi, she gave up a life of wealth and privilege to follow Christ in poverty, prayer, and humble service.

Born into a noble family in Assisi, Italy, Clare felt called from an early age to dedicate her life completely to God. At the age of eighteen, she left her family home and was welcomed by St. Francis, who received her vows and cut her hair as a sign of her new life devoted to Christ. Soon afterward, her younger sister, St. Agnes of Assisi, joined her, and together they established the Poor Clares.

Clare led her community with wisdom, humility, and unwavering trust in God's providence. She embraced a life of simplicity, continual prayer, and Eucharistic devotion. She insisted that her sisters own no personal property, placing their complete confidence in God's care.
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According to Catholic tradition, St. Clare displayed great faith during an attack on her convent. Holding the Blessed Sacrament before the invaders, she prayed for God's protection, and the attackers fled, leaving the sisters unharmed.
After many years of faithful service, St. Clare died in 1253 and was canonized just two years later by Pope Alexander IV. Today, she is remembered as a model of holiness, humility, and joyful trust in God. Her life continues to inspire {Christians} to seek Christ through prayer, simplicity, and complete reliance on His loving providence.


Did You Know?
 
· St. Clare founded the Order of Poor Clares at 18 years old.
· St. Francis of Assisi cut her hair as a sign of her dedication to God.
· She protected her convent by praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
· She is the patron saint of television because she miraculously saw and heard Mass from her room when she was too sick to attend.

Enjoy St. Clare's feast day, and may you be inspired by the example she set.

Fr. Bill+