March is traditionally Women’s History Month, a time to focus on women who have made a difference both historically and in contemporary times. This year’s theme is “Nevertheless She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.” Although it’s traditional to celebrate American women, we’d like to take this opportunity to remember Clare of Assisi, a woman from the 13th century who played a significant role in starting the Poor Clares.
The Importance of Assisi
Assisi is a city in central Italy where many people pilgrimage. It’s linked to St. Francis, a highly regarded religious figure in the Christian church and from whom the current Pope took his name. UNESCO designated the structures of the Franciscans a World Heritage Site. The town is home to several saints besides Francis, Clare and Agnes, two sisters who became nuns under the patronage of Francis.
Clare of Assisi
It’s believed that Clare was born into a noble and wealthy Roman family, but her mother was quite devout. Tradition tells us that Clare heard Francis preach during the season of Lent. Although she was probably destined to be married, she presented herself to Francis to exchange her gowns for a nun’s habit.
Francis placed Clare into a Benedictine convent. Her father tried to retrieve her, but Clare resisted and remained with the nuns. Her sister, who took the name of Agnes, joined her at the convent. Agnes’ uncle attempted to forcibly remove her from the convent, but he could not draw his sword to strike his niece. The family ultimately came to believe that something divine protected the two sisters and allowed them to stay at the convent.
Clare and Agnes stayed with the Benedictine nuns until Francis built them a small convent near San Damiano church. The order become known as the Poor Clares. Clare, Agnes and other women lived very simply, in seclusion from the rest of the world, praying and working.
Clare imitated Francis’ way of life and his virtues, even though the order was not itinerant. Most Franciscan friars went from town to town, preaching and sharing the gospel. In that time, women were unable to live that freely. Many leaders in the Catholic Church attempted to change the Poor Clares, giving them a dispensation from a vow of strict poverty. The order slept on the ground and ate no meat. Clare refused to be absolved of her vows.
Legend has it that when an army came to plunder Assisi, Clare met them at the gate of the church, carrying the Blessed Sacrament with her. The army was terrorized and fled without destroying the church or harming anyone in the city.
Clare’s Legacy
Clare died in 1253. It took just two years for her to be canonized as a saint. Her relics were transferred to a shrine in the Basilica of Saint Claire in a crypt. Today, she is the patron saint of goldsmiths, needleworkers and television. At the end of her life, she became too ill to attend Mass, but it’s been reported that she could see and hear it on the wall of her room. Traditionally, brides bring offerings of eggs to the Poor Clares, asking the nuns to intercede for good weather for their wedding. Clare is also the patron saint of good weather.
Many places in America have been named in her honor. The Santa Clara River in southern California remembers her, as does the Mission Santa Clara in northern California. The Franciscans that went to California as missionaries were quite devoted to Clare. Michigan also has a river and county named in her honor. Her feast day is celebrated on August 11. She should be remembered for her dedication to the church, even going against her family to do so.
