Saint Clare of Assisi
Chiara Offreduccio
Clare of Assisi was born to a noble family and was expected to make an advantageous marriage, but instead, she was called to God. Inspired by the teachings of Saint Francis of Assis, Clare ran away from her family’s wealth and nobility to live a life dedicated to Jesus Christ. Guided by Saint Francis, she began her own order of nuns, later to be called the Poor Clares, whose mission it was to live simply, growing in holiness and pray for a world in need of God. The Poor Clares still exist today and continues to grow with over 20,000 in more than 75 countries.
Saint Clare was born Chiara (Clare in English) Offreduccio on July 16, 1194. Clare’s mother was a very devout woman who taught the faith to her daughters, Clare, Agnes, and Beatrix. When Clare was 12, her parents wanted her to marry a wealthy young man; however, Clare wanted to wait. Yet, when she turned 18, Clare heard Saint Francis of Assisi preaching and his message touched her heart. She wanted to devote her life to Christ, not marriage.
On Palm Sunday, while her family went to collect their palm branches, Clare stayed home so that she could run away to live the life she felt God calling her to follow Francis. She lived for a short time with a group of Benedictine nuns who kept her away from her father’s attempts to kidnap her. Soon, Clare’s sister, Agnes, joined her, and they moved close to the Church of San Damiano, which Saint Francis had rebuilt. Clare’s mother would join them later as well. They lived a very simple and poor life, which attracted other women to join them. The lack of possessions and luxuries allowed for them to keep their eyes focused solely on prayer and sacrifice
During the early years of establishing her order, Clare remained close with Saint Francis. She helped care for him during the last years of his life until his death in 1226.
After the death of Saint Francis, Clare continued to work to keep to the strict way of life that she and her sisters lived by – even to the point of disagreeing with the Popes who encouraged her to relax her rule. She stated that “They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?” Clare’s heart certainly possessed God, and as such she showed her love for her sisters in everything she did by serving them and tending to all their needs.
In 1244, Emperor Frederick II, who was at war with Pope Honorius III, entered the Assisi area to attack it. One of the first places he stopped was at San Damiano, where Clare and her sisters were living. St. Clare had been very ill; yet, upon hearing of the invasion, rose from her bed to protect her sisters. As the soldiers were scaling the walls of the convent, Clare took the Blessed Sacrament and asked to be carried out to the gate, in the sight of the attackers. Clare, holding the Blessed Sacrament high, prayed for the protection of her sisters and for the city. She was reassured that they would all be under God’s care. At this, Clare turned to her sisters and told them to trust in Jesus. Suddenly, terror struck the attacking soldiers and they fled in haste, leaving Clare and her sisters unharmed. This image of Clare, holding the Blessed Sacrament, fending off the soldiers, is a common image of Clare in art.
After years of working to establish her rule as the official Rule by which her sisters would live, on August 9, 1253, the papal bull “Solet annuere” issued by Pope Innocent IV, confirmed that Clare’s rule would be the governing rule of the Order of Poor Ladies. It is believed that Clare is the first woman in the Catholic church to write her own rule. Only two days later, on August 11, Clare passed away. Shortly thereafter, on August 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IV canonized Saint Clare. Construction of the Basilica of Saint Clare was completed in 1560 in Assisi, Italy. where her remains were transferred to the basilica and remain there today. In 1263, Pope Urban IV changed the name of her order from the “Order of Poor Ladies” to the “Order of Saint Clare,” more commonly known as the “Poor Clares.”
Come See the Statue of Saint Clare
The newly placed statue of Saint Clare stands peacefully within the sacred grounds of the Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery, a serene and spiritual site open to all. Whether you are seeking inspiration, a quiet moment of reflection, or an opportunity to connect with a woman of deep courage and faith, we invite you to come visit.
The statue not only honors her enduring legacy but offers a beautiful place for prayer and contemplation. Consider scheduling a guided tour of the Mission grounds, where you’ll also discover centuries of history, art, and Franciscan tradition.
