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Patron Saints for St Clare Parish

The Poor Clares were founded in 1212 in Assisi, Italy, when St. Francis received St. Clare as a follower of his way of life.

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.

St Clare of Assisi

What a great laudable exchange:
to leave the things of time for those of eternity,
to choose the things of heaven for the goods of earth,
to receive the hundred-fold in place of one,
and to possess a blessed and eternal life.

St Clare

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.

St Clare of Assisi

I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Thy majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed every day, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine.