Saint Clare was born during the time that St. Francis lived, in 1193, in Assisi, to a wealthy family. She loved hearing St. Francis preach, and followed His teachings. She left her family, sneaking out at night to join him in a life of poverty. That night, she cut off her beautiful hair, and was given just a plain, rough garment to wear. She eventually became the mother and foundress of an order of nuns, who are today called the Poor Clares. Her sister, and eventually mother, all came to join the order as well! Although she lived a life with very few comforts and luxuries, she was very rich in works of charity and piety.
One of my favorite stories of St. Clare is how once when her convent was threatened by invaders. As the attackers drew near, St. Clare calmly rose from her sick bed and went to a window with the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance. As she raised the monstrance, the soldiers who were about to enter the monastery fell backward, as if dazzled. The others who were ready to follow those attackers ran away in fear! The attackers left, the house was saved, and this image of her with the monstrance is one of the more common images of St. Clare.
She is the patron Saint of eyes, of television, and against eye diseases.
Read more about her HERE or HERE! She is a wonderful Saint to get to know, and to ask to pray for us. Her unworldliness is pretty profound! And here are some pictures :)
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| St. Clare's beautiful hair |
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| Warding off invaders with the monstrance |
Be Holy!! St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
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