Saint Saint ClareClare

BIOGRAPHYBIOGRAPHY

BIRTHPLACEBIRTHPLACEAssisiAssisi, 12 miles outside of , 12 miles outside of

PerugiaPerugia

PARENTSPARENTS Father : Favorino ScifiFather : Favorino Scifi

Count of Sasso-Rosso the Count of Sasso-Rosso the wealthywealthy representative of an ancient Roman representative of an ancient Roman familyfamily

Mother : Blessed Ortolana belonged to the noble Mother : Blessed Ortolana belonged to the noble familyfamily of Fiumi of Fiumi

: was conspicuous for her : was conspicuous for her zealzeal and and pietypiety..: devout woman: devout woman: undertaken pilgrimages: undertaken pilgrimages:Later on in her life, entered:Later on in her life, entered Clare's Clare's monastery. monastery.

EARLY CHILDHOODEARLY CHILDHOOD

Clare seemed to have been endowed Clare seemed to have been endowed with the rarest with the rarest virtuesvirtues. .

As a child she was most devoted to As a child she was most devoted to prayerprayer and to practices of and to practices of mortificationmortification, , and as she passed into girlhood her and as she passed into girlhood her distaste for the world and her yearning distaste for the world and her yearning for a more spiritual life increased. for a more spiritual life increased.

INSPIRATIONINSPIRATIONShe was eighteen years of age when She was eighteen years of age when

St. FrancisSt. Francis came to preach the came to preach the LentenLenten course course in the in the churchchurch of San Giorgio at of San Giorgio at AssisiAssisi. .

The inspired words of the The inspired words of the PoverelloPoverello kindled a kindled a flame in the heart of Clareflame in the heart of Clare

She sought him out secretly and begged him to She sought him out secretly and begged him to help her that she too might live "after the help her that she too might live "after the manner of the manner of the holy Gospelholy Gospel". ".

St. FrancisSt. Francis, who at once recognized in , who at once recognized in Clare one of those chosen Clare one of those chosen soulssouls destined destined by by GodGod for great things, and who also, for great things, and who also, doubtless, foresaw that many would follow doubtless, foresaw that many would follow her example, promised to assist her.her example, promised to assist her.

MARCH 20, 1212 MARCH 20, 1212 (PALM SUNDAY)(PALM SUNDAY)

She attended high She attended high MassMass at the at the cathedralcathedral, , but when the others pressed forward to the but when the others pressed forward to the altar-railaltar-rail to receive a to receive a branch of palmbranch of palm, she , she remained in her place as if remained in her place as if rapt in a dreamrapt in a dream. . All eyes were upon the young girl as the All eyes were upon the young girl as the bishopbishop descended from the descended from the sanctuarysanctuary and and placed the placed the palmpalm in her hand. That was the in her hand. That was the last last timetime the world beheld Clare. the world beheld Clare.

MARCH 20, 1212 MARCH 20, 1212 (PALM SUNDAY)(PALM SUNDAY)

On the night of the same On the night of the same day she secretly left her day she secretly left her father's house, by father's house, by St. Francis'sSt. Francis's advice advice

accompanied by her accompanied by her aunt Bianca and another aunt Bianca and another companion, and companion, and proceeded to the humble proceeded to the humble chapelchapel of the of the PorziunculaPorziuncula, where , where St. FrancisSt. Francis and his and his disciplesdisciples met her with met her with lightslights in their hands. in their hands.

MARCH 20, 1212 MARCH 20, 1212 (PALM SUNDAY)(PALM SUNDAY)

Clare then laid aside her rich dress, Clare then laid aside her rich dress, and and St. FrancisSt. Francis, having cut off her , having cut off her hairhair, clothed her in a rough tunic and , clothed her in a rough tunic and a thick veil, and in this way the young a thick veil, and in this way the young heroine heroine vowedvowed herself to the service herself to the service of of Jesus ChristJesus Christ. .

PLACESPLACESClare lived for a brief period in a nearby Clare lived for a brief period in a nearby

BenedictineBenedictine monastery of monastery of nunsnuns, , San San Paolo delle AbadessePaolo delle Abadesse

For a short period at a house of female For a short period at a house of female penitents, penitents, Sant'Angelo in PanzaSant'Angelo in Panza on on Monte Monte SubasioSubasio

Soon her sister, Soon her sister, St. AgnesSt. Agnes joined her and they soon moved to the joined her and they soon moved to the church of church of San San DamianoDamiano, which Francis himself had rebuilt. Other , which Francis himself had rebuilt. Other women joined them there, and San Damiano became known for its women joined them there, and San Damiano became known for its radically austere lifestyle who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live radically austere lifestyle who wanted to be brides of Jesus, and live without any money. The women were at first known as the "Poor without any money. The women were at first known as the "Poor Ladies". Ladies". St. ClareSt. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet they were very happy, because Our happy, because Our LordLord was close to them all the time. Once, He was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An saved them from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to attack army of rough soldiers came to attack AssisiAssisi and they planned to and they planned to raid the raid the conventconvent first. Although very sick, first. Although very sick, St. ClareSt. Clare had herself had herself carried to the wall and carried to the wall and rightright there, where the enemies could see it, there, where the enemies could see it, she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she she had the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged begged GodGod to save the Sisters. to save the Sisters.

O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I now," she prayed. A voice seemed to answer: "I willwill keep keep them always in My care." At the same them always in My care." At the same timetime a sudden a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fright struck the attackers and they fled as fastfast as they as they could. could. St. ClareSt. Clare was sick and suffered great pains for was sick and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So great was her joy in serving the So great was her joy in serving the LordLord that she once that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a exclaimed: "They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite heart which possesses the infinite GodGod be truly called be truly called poor?" We should remember this poor?" We should remember this miraclemiracle of the Blessed of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we Sacrament when in Church. Then we willwill pray with great pray with great FaithFaith to to JesusJesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every from every evilevil - of - of soulsoul and body." Her and body." Her feast dayfeast day is is August 11. August 11.

San Damiano became the focal point for Clare's new San Damiano became the focal point for Clare's new religious order, which was known in her lifetime as the religious order, which was known in her lifetime as the "Order of San Damiano." San Damiano was long thought "Order of San Damiano." San Damiano was long thought to be the first house of this order, however, recent to be the first house of this order, however, recent scholarship strongly suggests that San Damiano actually scholarship strongly suggests that San Damiano actually joined an existing network of women's religious houses joined an existing network of women's religious houses organized by Hugolino (who later became organized by Hugolino (who later became Pope Gregory IXPope Gregory IX). Hugolino wanted San Damiano as ). Hugolino wanted San Damiano as part of the order he founded because of the prestige of part of the order he founded because of the prestige of Clare's monastery. San Damiano emerged as the most Clare's monastery. San Damiano emerged as the most important house in the order, and Clare became its important house in the order, and Clare became its undisputed leader. By 1263, just ten years after Clare's undisputed leader. By 1263, just ten years after Clare's death, the order became known as the death, the order became known as the Order of Saint ClareOrder of Saint Clare..

Unlike the Unlike the Franciscan friarsFranciscan friars, whose , whose members moved around the country to members moved around the country to preach, Saint Clare's sisters lived in preach, Saint Clare's sisters lived in enclosureenclosure, since an itinerant life was , since an itinerant life was hardly conceivable at the time for women. hardly conceivable at the time for women. Their life consisted of manual labour and Their life consisted of manual labour and prayer.prayer.

For a short period of time the order was directed by For a short period of time the order was directed by Francis himself. Then in 1216, Clare accepted the role of Francis himself. Then in 1216, Clare accepted the role of abbessabbess of San Damiano. As abbess, Clare had more of San Damiano. As abbess, Clare had more authority to lead the order than when she was the authority to lead the order than when she was the prioressprioress, who had to follow the orders of a priest heading , who had to follow the orders of a priest heading the community. Clare defended her order from the the community. Clare defended her order from the attempts of prelates to impose a rule on them that more attempts of prelates to impose a rule on them that more closely resembled the closely resembled the Rule of St BenedictRule of St Benedict than Francis' than Francis' stricter vows. Clare sought to imitate Francis' virtues and stricter vows. Clare sought to imitate Francis' virtues and way of life so much so that she was sometimes titled way of life so much so that she was sometimes titled alter Franciscusalter Franciscus, another Francis. She also played a , another Francis. She also played a significant role in encouraging and aiding Francis, whom significant role in encouraging and aiding Francis, whom she saw as a spiritual father figure, and she took care of she saw as a spiritual father figure, and she took care of him during his illnesses at the end of his life, until his him during his illnesses at the end of his life, until his death in 1226.death in 1226.

After Francis's death, Clare continued to After Francis's death, Clare continued to promote the growth of her order, writing letters to promote the growth of her order, writing letters to abbesses in other parts of Europe and thwarting abbesses in other parts of Europe and thwarting every attempt by each successive every attempt by each successive popepope to to impose a Rule on her order which watered down impose a Rule on her order which watered down the radical commitment to the radical commitment to corporate povertycorporate poverty she she had originally embraced. She did this despite the had originally embraced. She did this despite the fact that she had endured a long period of poor fact that she had endured a long period of poor health until her death. Clare's Franciscan health until her death. Clare's Franciscan theology of joyous poverty in imitation of Christ theology of joyous poverty in imitation of Christ is evident in the Rule she wrote for her is evident in the Rule she wrote for her community and in her four letters to community and in her four letters to Agnes of PragueAgnes of Prague..

POST POST DEATHDEATH

BASILICA OF ST. CLARE, ASSISIBASILICA OF ST. CLARE, ASSISI

On August 9, 1253, the On August 9, 1253, the Papal bullPapal bull Solet annureSolet annure of of Pope Innocent IVPope Innocent IV confirmed that Clare's confirmed that Clare's Rule would serve as the Rule would serve as the governing rule for Clare's governing rule for Clare's Order of Poor Ladies. Order of Poor Ladies. Two days later, on Two days later, on August 11, Clare died at August 11, Clare died at the age of 59. Her the age of 59. Her remains were interred at remains were interred at the chapel of the chapel of San GiorgioSan Giorgio while a church to hold her while a church to hold her remains was being remains was being constructed.constructed.

On August 15, 1255, On August 15, 1255, Pope Alexander IVPope Alexander IV canonized Clare as Saint Clare of Assisi. canonized Clare as Saint Clare of Assisi. Construction of the Construction of the Basilica of Saint ClareBasilica of Saint Clare was was completed in 1260, and on October 3 of that completed in 1260, and on October 3 of that year Clare's remains were transferred to the year Clare's remains were transferred to the newly completed basilica where they were newly completed basilica where they were buried beneath the buried beneath the high altarhigh altar. In further . In further recognition of the saint, recognition of the saint, Pope Urban IVPope Urban IV officially officially changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the to the Order of Saint ClareOrder of Saint Clare in 1263. in 1263.

Some 600 years later in 1872, Saint Some 600 years later in 1872, Saint Clare's remains were transferred to a Clare's remains were transferred to a newly constructed shrine in the crypt of the newly constructed shrine in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint ClareBasilica of Saint Clare where they can still where they can still be seen today.be seen today.

LegacyLegacyPope Pius XIIPope Pius XII designated her as the designated her as the

patron saintpatron saint of television in 1958, on the of television in 1958, on the basis that when she was too ill to attend basis that when she was too ill to attend MassMass, she had reportedly been able to see , she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room. The and hear it on the wall of her room. The Eternal Word Television NetworkEternal Word Television Network (EWTN) (EWTN) was founded by a was founded by a Poor ClarePoor Clare nunnun, , Mother AngelicaMother Angelica..

In art, Clare is often shown carrying a In art, Clare is often shown carrying a monstrancemonstrance or or pyxpyx, in commemoration of , in commemoration of the time when she warded away the the time when she warded away the soldiers of soldiers of Frederick IIFrederick II at the gates of her at the gates of her convent by displaying the convent by displaying the Blessed SacramentBlessed Sacrament and kneeling in and kneeling in prayer.prayer.

Lake Saint ClairLake Saint Clair and the and the Saint Clair RiverSaint Clair River in the in the Great Lakes region of Great Lakes region of North AmericaNorth America were were named on her feast day August 11, 1679. named on her feast day August 11, 1679. Mission Santa ClaraMission Santa Clara, founded by Spanish , founded by Spanish missionaries in missionaries in northern Californianorthern California in 1777, has in 1777, has given its name to the given its name to the universityuniversity, , citycity, , countycounty, and , and valley in which it sits. Southern California's valley in which it sits. Southern California's Santa Clara River is hundreds of miles to the Santa Clara River is hundreds of miles to the south, and gave its name to the nearby city of south, and gave its name to the nearby city of Santa Clarita. Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico Santa Clarita. Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico celebrates its Santa Clara Feast Day annually celebrates its Santa Clara Feast Day annually on August 11.on August 11.

In the Tridentine Calendar her feast day is In the Tridentine Calendar her feast day is celebrated as a Double on August 11. It celebrated as a Double on August 11. It was changed to a Third-Class Feast in was changed to a Third-Class Feast in 1960 (see General Roman Calendar of 1960 (see General Roman Calendar of 1962), and in the 1969 calendar became 1962), and in the 1969 calendar became an obligatory Memorial celebrated on the an obligatory Memorial celebrated on the day of her death, August 11. Although her day of her death, August 11. Although her body is no longer claimed to be incorrupt, body is no longer claimed to be incorrupt, her skeleton is displayed in Assisi.her skeleton is displayed in Assisi.

Monasterio de Santa ClaraMonasterio de Santa ClaraC-5 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon C-5 Katipunan Avenue, Quezon

City 1108 PhilippinesCity 1108 Philippines

Description:Description: This monastery is where nuns of the Order of This monastery is where nuns of the Order of

Saint Clare of Assisi (usually called Poor Clares) Saint Clare of Assisi (usually called Poor Clares) lead a life of prayer and contemplation, having lead a life of prayer and contemplation, having renounced the world and earthly possessions. renounced the world and earthly possessions. The church is a lovely cream-colored building The church is a lovely cream-colored building that is very much in the mold of Spanish-built that is very much in the mold of Spanish-built mission churches in California, U.S.A. Carrying mission churches in California, U.S.A. Carrying on an old tradition, people often come here with on an old tradition, people often come here with offerings (usually eggs) and ask the saintly nuns offerings (usually eggs) and ask the saintly nuns to pray for good weather.to pray for good weather.

A dozen eggs in exchange for A dozen eggs in exchange for answered prayersanswered prayers

SARIAYA, QUEZON — For most people SARIAYA, QUEZON — For most people visiting the province of Quezon, the visiting the province of Quezon, the mystical Mt. Banahaw is the perfect spot mystical Mt. Banahaw is the perfect spot for prayer and contemplation. But there’s for prayer and contemplation. But there’s one place just at the foot of Banahaw one place just at the foot of Banahaw where many flock to offer a dozen eggs in where many flock to offer a dozen eggs in exchange for prayer offerings by nuns.exchange for prayer offerings by nuns.

The 53-year-old Monastery of St. Clare (Monasterio de The 53-year-old Monastery of St. Clare (Monasterio de Santa Clara), founded by a group of nuns from the Order Santa Clara), founded by a group of nuns from the Order of Saint Clare of Assisi (usually called Poor Clares) on of Saint Clare of Assisi (usually called Poor Clares) on June 9, 1957, has been the main destination of people, June 9, 1957, has been the main destination of people, especially Sariayans, who petition for prayers. It is especially Sariayans, who petition for prayers. It is patterned after the very first St. Clare Monastery patterned after the very first St. Clare Monastery established in the country now located on Katipunan established in the country now located on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. The monastery in Sariaya can Avenue in Quezon City. The monastery in Sariaya can be easily found along Maharlika highway (the road be easily found along Maharlika highway (the road leading to Lucena and other neighboring towns in leading to Lucena and other neighboring towns in Quezon), on the left side of the road going south, right Quezon), on the left side of the road going south, right before the town proper of Sariaya. It is roughly a three-before the town proper of Sariaya. It is roughly a three-hour drive from Manila.hour drive from Manila.

In the main hall where petitioners as well as In the main hall where petitioners as well as visiting relatives of nuns are allowed to stay, a visiting relatives of nuns are allowed to stay, a small wooden turn could be found where small wooden turn could be found where offerings are dropped. One has to knock first to offerings are dropped. One has to knock first to notify the sister-in-charge that an offering has notify the sister-in-charge that an offering has been placed. A separate box, also inside the been placed. A separate box, also inside the turn, serves as the drop box for written petitions turn, serves as the drop box for written petitions or mass intentions. Since the Poor Clares are or mass intentions. Since the Poor Clares are strictly prohibited from seeing others (except strictly prohibited from seeing others (except relatives but only on certain occasions dictated relatives but only on certain occasions dictated by the Order), one would only hear a voice by the Order), one would only hear a voice notifying the visitor that the offering has been notifying the visitor that the offering has been received.received.

The traditional offering of food in exchange The traditional offering of food in exchange for prayer offerings by nuns is practiced in for prayer offerings by nuns is practiced in many convents or monasteries. But here many convents or monasteries. But here at the Monastery of St. Clare, offering a at the Monastery of St. Clare, offering a dozen eggs has become a custom unique dozen eggs has become a custom unique to the congregation.to the congregation.

It is believed that offering eggs to the Poor It is believed that offering eggs to the Poor Clares in exchange for prayer petition of a Clares in exchange for prayer petition of a good weather, works. By tradition, a dozen good weather, works. By tradition, a dozen eggs (representing the twelve months of eggs (representing the twelve months of the year) is offered even if one wishes only the year) is offered even if one wishes only for a day or two without rain.for a day or two without rain.

There really is no one true explanation how this There really is no one true explanation how this tradition came about. But in Dr. Alejandro Roces’ tradition came about. But in Dr. Alejandro Roces’ book “Fiesta,” he theorized that this may have book “Fiesta,” he theorized that this may have something to do with Sta. Clara’s name. “Clara” something to do with Sta. Clara’s name. “Clara” in Castillian means “a short interval of fair in Castillian means “a short interval of fair weather on a rainy day.” In Spanish however, weather on a rainy day.” In Spanish however, “clara” pertains to the albumen or egg white. “clara” pertains to the albumen or egg white. This then translates to offering claras (egg This then translates to offering claras (egg whites) to Sta. Clara to pray for a clara (fair whites) to Sta. Clara to pray for a clara (fair weather) during a rainy day.weather) during a rainy day.

At the Monastery of St. Clare in Quezon City, the At the Monastery of St. Clare in Quezon City, the tradition of offering eggs is also tailored for other tradition of offering eggs is also tailored for other intentions. Vendors outside the monastery could intentions. Vendors outside the monastery could be seen selling eggs wrapped in colored be seen selling eggs wrapped in colored cellophane, each color representing a different cellophane, each color representing a different wish category. Yet it is important to note that the wish category. Yet it is important to note that the power of prayer does not depend on the eggs or power of prayer does not depend on the eggs or whatever material offering. Always, it is through whatever material offering. Always, it is through strong faith that prayers are heard.strong faith that prayers are heard.