Saint of the Day: St. Clare of Assisi
St. Clare of Assisi (1193/4–1253) was born in Assisi and came under the influence of St. Francis of Assisi. At the age of 18, she left her home and, guided by Francis, began a community that eventually became the Order of the Poor Clares. She was later joined by her sister and widowed mother.
Clare embraced a radical life of poverty, prayer and complete trust in God. In 1215, she obtained from the Pope the privilege of owning nothing, insisting that her community should live from alms. She remained faithful to this ideal even when later attempts were made to modify the rule.
A deeply contemplative woman and a loving mother to her nuns, Clare showed that holiness is not found in possessions or comfort, but in surrendering everything to Christ.
Her life also reminds us of the constant tension between strictness and laxity in our spiritual journey. We are called to seek the right balance: remaining faithful to God while allowing His grace to shape us with humility and love.
St. Clare of Assisi, woman of prayer and poverty, pray for us. 🙏