St. Clare

St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi began a radically new movement for the Church of the 1200's and their spirit vibrantly illumines the world of our day.

St. Clare, a young woman from a wealthy family in Assisi, was inspired by Francis as she saw and heard of his radical way of life that was stirring up the status quo and causing talk and ridicule from the townspeople. She secretly met with Francis and told him of her desire to join him. On Palm Sunday night, she escaped from a side door in her home and ran to meet Francis and his small band of brothers at the chapel of the Portiuncula of St. Mary of the Angels. There, Francis cut her hair, clothed her with a rough fabric, and welcomed her to a life of poverty and simplicity. Soon after, Francis arranged for Clare and the other women who immediately followed her example, to live at San Damiano, the original church he repaired. Thus began the story of a man and a woman on fire with the call to poverty, and whose only desire was to follow the radical call they were given by God.

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