On 16 July 1194, St. Clare of Assisi was born into a noble family in Assisi. As a child, she was recognized by her household for her kind and prayerful nature and her sensitivity. When St. Francis preached the Lenten sermons in the church of St George at Assisi, Italy, in 1212, he so inspired the 18-year-old Clare that she determined to follow the Poverello in his life of Christian poverty. Upon his advice, she secretly slipped out of the parental castle on the night of Palm Sunday and, accompanied by her aunt Bianca and another companion, made her way through the forest to the little chapel of the Portiuncula in the valley, where Francis and his brethren awaited her with torches. She changed her fancy clothes for a simple tunic and veil. She cut her long, golden hair and dedicated her life to serving Christ in complete poverty.
Her father had arranged a grand marriage for her, but he was enraged when she decided to stay at the Benedictine convent temporarily. However, he could not forcefully remove her. Soon after, a small house was converted into a convent next to the modest San Damiano chapel, which Francis had fixed up. Here, within a fortnight, Clare was joined by her younger sister, St. Agnes. The young Order of "Poor Clares" began to grow rapidly, and during the next few years, her own mother, Blessed Ortolana, another sister, Beatrice, and her aunt Bianca also placed themselves under her direction. Foundations were established in many countries of Europe during her forty-year tenure of office, mainly for the care and education of poor girls. The Assisi motherhouse became a nursery of Saints. Despite her seclusion, Clare had a significant influence in promoting Franciscan ideals, which she spread extensively. She also became the confidant of two Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops, besides numerous others who came to consult her.
At first, the community lived without a written rule, guided only by a short "formula of life" composed by St. Francis and under his devoted personal guidance. But Cardinal Ugolini, the new Order's protector, drew up a rule in 1219 based on Benedictine law and forbade communal poverty, which he tried unsuccessfully for nine years to have Clare accept. Her unwavering commitment to St. Francis' concept of complete poverty and reliance on charity eventually led her to obtain his renowned "Priviligium paupertatis," the very first document of its kind to be granted. Moreover, just two days prior to her passing, Pope Innocent IV officially confirmed the definitive rule, solidifying her ideals. In fact, Pope Innocent even personally visited the dying Saint who had been tried by sickness and infirmities for many years. Three of St Francis' early companions read aloud the Passion according to St John, while "the Little Flower of St Francis," the living impersonation of Lady Poverty, passed peacefully to her reward at 59 on 12 August 1253.
The Pope and his entire court attended Clare's funeral, and two years later, the holy foundress was solemnly canonized by Pope Alexander IV on 15 August 1255. For safety's sake, her body was buried deep below the high altar of the new church, which was erected at Assisi in her honor in 1260. It now lies enshrined in a special crypt chapel where it is visited and revered by countless pilgrims. St. Clare, the first woman Franciscan, is represented in Church art as holding a ciborium. This is to indicate how the depth of her devotion to the Holy Eucharist helped free her convent and the city of Assisi from the marauding Saracens of Frederick II on two occasions, in 1240 and 1241, when her plea to the Eucharistic Lord: "I beseech you, dear Lord, protect these whom I am now unable to protect!" had the troops miraculously turn tail and flee. One Christmas, lying in her sickbed, she miraculously viewed the Midnight Mass in the Basilica of San Francesco on the far side of Assisi. And so it is that in 1958, Pius XII declared her patron of television.
St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us that we willingly embrace God's plan, adhere to His guidance, and avoid the various material distractions that the world presents.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
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