Parish of Saint Clare (Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia)

Paróquia Santa Clara
Dedication:	Saint Clare of Assisi
Venerated Saints:	None specified
Diocese:	Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia
Deanery:
Address:	Rua Francisco Ferraro, s/n, Federação, Salvador, BA 40210-668
Coordinates:	-12.9742, -38.5067
City:	Salvador, BA
Subdivision:	Bahia
Country:	Brazil
County:
Website:	No website specified
Founded:	1938
School:	Yes
Email:

Paróquia Santa Clara (Parish of Saint Clare) is a territorial parish in the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, located in the Federação neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Dedicated to Saint Clare of Assisi, the thirteenth-century foundress of the Poor Clares and faithful disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi—venerated in Catholic tradition for her radical embrace of poverty, contemplative prayer, and Eucharistic devotion—the parish is ministered by the Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv).

The parish was canonically erected in 1938, with the current church building completed and dedicated in 1958. As of December 16, 2025, Paróquia Santa Clara continues to serve the local community with regular liturgies, catechesis, and ministries reflecting Franciscan spirituality.

The dedication promotes the charism of Saint Clare, emphasizing simplicity, prayer, and service to the poor.

History

Paróquia Santa Clara was canonically erected in 1938 by the Archdiocese of São Salvador da Bahia, entrusted to the Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual who maintain pastoral care to the present day.

The church building was constructed and dedicated in 1958, providing a dedicated space for worship in the growing Federação neighborhood.

The parish has remained under Conventual Franciscan administration, fostering devotion to Saint Clare and Saint Francis in the local context.

Special features

• Ministered by Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv), promoting Franciscan spirituality of poverty and fraternity
• Patronal feast of Saint Clare of Assisi on August 11

Relics

According to established Catholic tradition, the main altar contains deposited relics, as is customary in dedicated churches. Specific details regarding the saints associated with these relics are not publicly documented in available sources. This follows common practice where first-class relics, often of martyrs, are sealed within the altar.

Architecture

The church building, dedicated in 1958, reflects mid-twentieth-century design typical of Brazilian parishes during that era's urban growth.

Art and devotional features

Specific details on stained glass windows, statues, sculptures, or other interior artwork are limited in publicly available sources. Devotional elements typically include representations of Saint Clare of Assisi, often portraying her with the monstrance (recalling hagiographic accounts of her defense of the convent with the Blessed Sacrament) or in Franciscan habit.