Saint Clare of Assisi
Stored in Cargo: Saint Clare of Assisi
| Saint Clare of Assisi | |
| Feast Day | August 11 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Television, eye disease sufferers, Assisi |
| Birthplace | Assisi, Papal States |
| Death Place | Assisi, Papal States |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (illness) |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint Clare, Assisi, Italy |
Saint Clare of Assisi (1194 AD – 1253 AD) was an Italian nun and founder of the Poor Clares, a contemplative order devoted to poverty and prayer. Born in Assisi, Papal States, she followed Saint Francis, establishing her order and defending its Franciscan ideals. Canonized in 1255 AD by Pope Alexander IV, she is venerated for her asceticism.[1]
Clare is the patron saint of television, eye disease sufferers, and Assisi, with her feast day on 11 August. Honored in Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion, her relics at the Basilica of Saint Clare, Assisi, draw pilgrims. Her legacy inspires contemplative life.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Clare was born on 16 July 1194 AD in Assisi, Papal States, to a noble family.[1] Christened Chiara Offreduccio, Assisi’s Franciscan spirituality shaped her faith. Her parents, wealthy landowners, ensured her education.
Her piety drew her to Francis’s preaching.[3]
Early Life
Clare rejected marriage, inspired by Saint Francis, and fled to join him in 1212 AD, aged 18.[4] She founded the Poor Clares, living in poverty at San Damiano, Assisi. Defending her order’s strict rule, she gained papal approval in 1215 AD. Her visions included seeing Mass on a wall, inspiring her television patronage.
Her asceticism influenced Franciscan women.[5]
Occupation
Clare was a nun.[1] She led the Poor Clares, prayed, and cared for her sisters, sewing for the poor. Her “occupation” was contemplation, guiding her order through letters and example.
Her leadership shaped female monasticism.[6]
Vocation
Clare’s religious vocation began in 1212 AD with her consecration.[1] Leading the Poor Clares until 1253 AD, she upheld Franciscan poverty against pressures for wealth. Her defense of San Damiano from invaders, holding a monstrance, defined her calling.
Her rule inspired global Poor Clares.[7]
Death
Clare died on 11 August 1253 AD in Assisi, Papal States, from illness, aged 59.[1] She passed in San Damiano, surrounded by her sisters. Her death was mourned widely.
Buried at the Basilica of Saint Clare, her relics draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Assisi, Papal States
Death location: Assisi, Papal States
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Clare’s sainthood process began post-1253 AD, initiated by Franciscans.[3] Her asceticism supported sanctity. Testimonies from Assisi advanced her cause.
Devotion grew in Italy.[1]
Venerable
Clare was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] Her holiness affirmed virtue. Franciscan sisters ensured her status.
This reflects early canonization norms.[5]
Beatification
Clare was beatified in 1255 AD by Pope Alexander IV.[1] A woman’s healing from blindness in 1254 AD was verified. Her beatification inspired Poor Clares.
Canonization
Clare was canonized in 1255 AD by Pope Alexander IV.[1] No additional miracle was required, as her asceticism sufficed. Her feast day of 11 August was set.
Her sainthood celebrated contemplation.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
A woman’s recovery from blindness in 1254 AD was verified for beatification.[1] Church investigations confirmed the miracle.
This strengthened her cult.[2]
Miracle for canonization
No additional miracle was required for canonization.[1] Her contemplative life sufficed. No further miracles were documented.
This was exceptional for medieval saints.[6]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Clare is the patron saint of television, eye disease sufferers, and Assisi.[2] Her patronage supports vision.[9]
Feast day
Clare’s feast day is 11 August, celebrated with Masses in Assisi, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion.[1] Pilgrimages to her basilica mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Clare is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to the Basilica of Saint Clare.[2] The visually impaired seek her intercession. Her relics are displayed on her feast day.
Depicted with a monstrance, her poverty, noted in X posts, inspires devotion.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Clare of Assisi". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-clare-of-assisi/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Clare of Assisi". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=239. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Clare of Assisi". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04004a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Clare of Assisi". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Clare-of-Assisi. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Clare of Assisi". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-clare-of-assisi/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "St. Clare of Assisi". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-clare-of-assisi-607. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Fr. Giovanni Rossi. "Basilica of Saint Clare". Diocese of Assisi. https://www.assisidiocese.it/clare. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "St. Clare of Assisi". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20030811_clare_en.html. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Clare of Assisi". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-clare-of-assisi. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Clare of Assisi, Poor Clare Founder". CatholicSaints via X. 11 August 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/clare2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.