Clare of Assisi on March 17, 1212
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March 11, 2022SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI
On March 17th 1212, during the evening of Palm Sunday, Clare made a radical change in her life; she secretly left her father’s house and headed towards the chapel of ‘St. Mary of the Angels’, the Church of Portiuncula and joined St. Francis into the church. On that night of the spiritual marriage to Jesus of St. Clare, Francis asked her what she wanted, and she answered: “I want the God of the Manger and of Calvary. I desire no other treasure or inheritance.”
Then Clare laid aside her rich clothes, all her precious jewelry and ornaments while Francis was cutting her long blonde hair and received the rude habit, cord, and humble veil and consecrated herself entirely to God. Acting entirely unconventionally and without Canonical authority, Francis accepted Clare’s bill of divorce from the world and lodged her nearby with the Benedictines near Bastia. She was almost pulled out by her father. From that moment she vowed to live her life entirely in the service of Jesus, her heavenly spouse.
In a miserable house, outside Assisi, she founded her Order, and was joined by her sister, fourteen years of age, and afterwards by her mother and other noble ladies. They went barefoot, observed perpetual abstinence, constant silence, and perfect poverty.
While the Saracen army of Frederick II was ravaging the valley of Spoleto, a body of infidels advanced to assault St. Clare's convent which stood outside Assisi. The Saint had the Blessed Sacrament placed in a monstrance, above the gate of the monastery facing the enemy, and kneeling before it, prayed, "Deliver not to beasts, O Lord, the souls of those who confess to Thee." A voice from the Host replied, "My protection will never fail you." A sudden panic seized the infidels, who took to flight, and the Saint's convent was spared.
During her illness of twenty-eight years the Holy Eucharist was her only support and spinning linen for the altar the one work of her hands.
She died 1253 A.D., as the Passion was being read, and Our Lady and the angels conducted her to glory.
Feast Day: August 11
Name Meaning: “The Brilliant (light) One"
Patron Saint of: Embroiderers, Healing Sores, Eyes, Goldsmith, Television (during her infirmity, she was allowed to view Mass, shown to her, on the wall of her room).
POWERFUL PRAYER TO SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI
O glorious Saint Clare, God has given you the power of working miracles continually, and the favor of answering the prayers of those who invoke your assistance in misfortune, anxiety, and distress;
We beseech you, to obtain for as from Jesus, through Mary His Blessed Mother, what we beg of you so fervently and hopefully, if it be for the great honor of God
and the good of our souls.Amen.
From Several articles online
Image: Painted Glass 1878
