Clare was a beautiful Italian noblewoman who became the
Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor Clares." When she
heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great desire to
imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she
ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, gave herself to God.
St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied
with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return
home, but Clare would not.
Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other
young women who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. St.
Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and
kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our Lord was
close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer
to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack Assisi and they
planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare had herself
carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had
the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the
Sisters.
"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect
now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I will keep them always
in My care." At the same time a sudden fright struck the attackers and
they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick and suffered great pains
for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her
joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too
poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called
poor?" We should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in
Church. Then we will pray with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist:
"Save me, O Lord, from every evil - of soul and body." Her feast day
is August 11.
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