Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

We hear quite a bit about St. Francis and his influences, but not so much about St. Clare. As today is her feast day, I have chosen to take a look at this important saint. Clare played a key role in the Franciscan movement and continues to have an effect today on those who follow these ideas. Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, notes that a lesson we learn from this saint is how important women, and Clare in particular, are to the Franciscan story.

Three years after St. Francis’ Earlier Rule was approved by the Pope, Clare joined the Franciscan movement. She played a significant role in establishing the Second Order of St. Francis, the Poor Ladies (called the Poor Clares after her death). She and her Sisters served the people of Assisi and its surroundings, offering healing care, prayer, and creation of linens for the churches. She offered prayers and healing for the friars as well. Her advice to Francis over the years encouraged him to spend time among the people, rather than staying so long in his hermitage experiences, guiding him to balance contemplation and action.

Between Francis’ death in 1226 and Clare’s in 1253 are twenty-seven years. In those years, she had great influence on the Franciscan movement. She was sought after for advice from the friars in leadership. She developed role of the Poor Ladies in their work for the people and their adherence to their vow of poverty.  Her healing work was well known.

St. Clare’s letters to St. Agnes of Prague give us a model of how we can keep Christ’s Gospel in our hearts and actions. She invites us to gaze on the Cross, consider all that He did, contemplate Him with mindfulness, and desire to imitate Him. As we remember her on her feast day, let us keep in mind her valuable lessons.

Blessed Angela: “You will edify others more by your good conduct than by the most intelligent conversations.”