IN 1212 Clare left her family and joined Francis. Inspired by Francis' faith, Clare lived and believed in Divine Providence. She depended on God to supply what she and the community needed. Her small group of followers became known as Poor Clares.
IN the document on her canonization in 1255, a number of miracles are re-told. Once, finding an empty jar of oil filled when they were in need, Clare believed God had filled it as "a gift of divine generosity". Clare accepted all things and people as a gift from God. She lived among her community as an equal doing daily works with everyone else. She was attentive to the well-being of each sister. Once Clare suspected a sister was suffering from depression and gave her extra sensitivity and care. The nun was restored to health and peace of heart, the canonization document says. The "Legend of Clare" tells us she healed a young boy with an emotional disorder.
FRANCIS also respected Clare's gifts of listening and insights. He and the brothers went to Clare whenever they had to make an important decision. Pope Gregory IX, a regular visitor, often consulted her opinion. Soon Clare and her communities became known for their care and prayers for people in need.
CLARE was canonized two years after her death and thousands of women still follow her inspiration as Poor Clares around the world. We are blessed to be among these.
Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-10/4/1226) is the co-founder of the Franciscan Order. The son of a rich merchant named Pietro di Bernardone, he was very worldly in his early years. He was held prisoner for several months in 1202 during a dispute between Assisi and Perugia. This was followed by a period of illness. Dissatisfied with his life, he turned to prayer and service to the poor, and in 1206 he publicly renounced his father's wealth.
Francis began to live as a hermit and soon attracted followers. He preached the necessity of a poor, simple life-style based on the ideals of the Gospels. Pope Innocent III approved his way of life, gave him and his disciples permission to preach on moral topics, and had Francis ordained a deacon. The followers increased and were called Friars Minor by Francis, that is, the lesser brethren.
With the collaboration of Saint Clare of Assisi (1194-8/11/1253), Francis founded (1212) a branch of his order for women, called the Poor Clares. Later, he established (1221) another branch for lay men and women, called the Third Order. In 1219, during the Fifth Crusade, Francis made his famous but fruitless attempt to convert the sultan al-Kamil while the crusaders laid seige to Damietta in Egypt.
Upon returning from the Crusades, Francis retired from the government of the order to a life of contemplation, during which he received the Stigmata (the imprint of the wounds of Christ in his own body) and composed his famous poem, the Canticle of Brother Sun. He died on October 3, 1226 and was canonized in 1228. Francis's feast day is October 4.
Francis was the son of Peter Bernardone, an Italian merchant. He was a generous, light-hearted man, not at all the son his father had envisioned taking over his cloth business. Francis longed to become a knight, and after an experience in battle and subsequent imprisonment, Francis became ill and his conversion process had begun. After recovering, he reached out to the poor and outcasts in society, notably lepers, and shared his material resources generously. He even began to repair churches in Assisi, after hearing the Lord tell him to rebuild the church. His father was outraged at his behavior, and brought him before the bishop of Assisi. Francis returned his father's material possessions, and professed his love for God the father alone. After hearing the Gospel in which Our Lord commissions His apostles to carry no possessions, Francis recognized God's will in his life and began a radical penitential movement. Others joined him, living in poverty, traveling, and preaching. They called themselves the friars minor, and Pope Innocent III gave approval. A second order, for women was established and headed by Saint Clare, and a third order was established for both men and women. Francis showed a great love for all of creation, and is known for his songs and poetry praising God in creation. His love of the crucified Christ filled his heart, and, 2 years before his death, he received the stigmata (sacred wounds) on his body. Francis died in 1226. His feast day is October 4th.
