Memorial of St. Clare | August 11

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Source: The English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes)

Saint Clare was born Chiara Offreduccio in Assisi in 1194. She followed her fellow citizen, Saint Francis, in a life of poverty and became mother and foundress of an order of nuns, the “Poor Clares” in Assisi. The Poor Clares were devoted to Our Lord and led a very active and fulfilling life, even though their convent was kept silent most of the time for prayer. Saint Agnes, Clare’s biological sister, joined the order along with her sister shortly after it was founded.

One of the most significant miracles attributed to Clare happened when an army of soldiers raided Assisi and planned to attack the convent first. Clare carried the Blessed Sacrament out to the wall of Assisi, although very sick, to where the enemy could see it and prayed that the Poor Clares be spared from the attack. A voice answered her, “I will keep them always in My care.” At this moment, the soldiers were struck with fear and immediately fled from Assisi.

Interesting tidbit: Saint Clare is the patron of television because during her life when she was too ill to attend Mass, she was apparently able to see and hear Mass on the wall of her room. Clare died on August 11, 1253.

Poor Clare Sisters of Omaha

We spotted the poster below while dining at a restaurant in Omaha a few weeks ago. How appropriate to share on the memorial of Saint Clare. The photo, taken on Palm Sunday 2011, shows the members of the Poor Clare Sisters of Omaha praying the Office of Readings on April 17, 2011, at the construction site of their new monastery in Omaha, Nebraska. As stated at the bottom of the poster, “The Poor Clare Sisters don’t have a parish to help them, yet they pray for all of us, all over Omaha, and all over the world.” Praying for their order and all other Poor Clare Sisters today!

Blessing of Saint Clare: May Almighty God bless you. May He look upon you with the eyes of His mercy and give you His peace. May He pour forth His graces on you abundantly; and in heaven may He place you among His saints! 

St. Clare, ora pro nobis!