Saint Clare of Assisi, a stunning Italian noblewoman, was profoundly influenced by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. After hearing him preach, she was overwhelmed with a fervent desire to lead a life of poverty and humility, just as Francis did, to dedicate herself wholly to Jesus.

At a small chapel outside Assisi, she devoted herself to God’s service. To signify her commitment, St. Francis chopped off her hair and presented her with a simple brown robe, cinched at the waist with a plain cord. Despite her family’s persistent efforts to bring her back, Clare remained steadfast in her decision.

Soon, her sister, St. Agnes, followed her footsteps. Numerous young women, driven by the same passion to be Jesus’ brides and lead a life devoid of materialistic comforts, joined them. They adopted a life of asceticism: they went barefoot, abstained from meat, resided in modest abodes, and maintained silence for the majority of their days. Their lives might seem full of sacrifices, but they found joy in the Lord’s constant presence.

One time, an army, known for their brutal ways, approached Assisi with intentions to besiege it. They planned to target the convent first. Despite her ailing health, St. Clare displayed incredible courage. She had the Blessed Sacrament positioned against the wall, visible to the invaders. Falling on her knees, she earnestly prayed for the Lord to shield the Sisters. Miraculously, an audible voice responded, “I will keep them always in My care.” This divine intervention struck fear into the hearts of the soldiers, causing them to retreat hastily.

Years of illness caused St. Clare immense suffering. Yet, her unwavering faith and joy in serving the Lord overshadowed her pain. She once poignantly remarked, “They say that we are too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?”

Editorial credit: godongphoto / Shutterstock.com
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36 COMMENTS

  2. Oh! Holy St. claire & Holy st. Francis of Assissi, please do hear my prayer that you may give me the best way to find some financial source for my holiday next year together with my family in my nativeland Manjuyod, Phil. whom you are the adored Patron Saints,Please hear my prayer, thanks and i praise You…

  3. St.Clare of Assisi, please pray for my mother her nerves are really bad. thank you and may GOD keep blessing you and all the Saints.

  4. St. Clare of Assisi I beg you to convey to the father in heaven to help open the hearts of parents so that my girlfriend can take me whole and what it is … amen

  6. Dear St Claire of Assisi,
    Please convey me to handle my problems and burdern today.. Show me and teach me the right decission that i will do. Im begging for help please pray for me…Amen

  8. St.Claire please help me to pass the civil service exam this May 27,2012.AMEN
    Lucenahins await for the arrival of your relic on Mar.18,2012

  11. St. Clare of Assisi was a very beautiful woman that surrendered her life to serve the Lord!!! I pray to the Lord for myself and so many others for His Peace and Glory. There have been so many other Saints that have also given their lives to serve the Lord in so many ways. They most surely have been an inspiration to many catholic christians through the divine instruction of God.

  12. St. Clare, through your interecessions may we live with the closeness of God that you lived. Pray that we have widsom and prudence to do the Lord’s will.

  13. St. Clare of Assisi through your intercession may I live like you lived and may I carry out a life that is pleasing to God and to God’s Will. Amen

  14. St Claire,

    A couple of years ago my family visited your tomb in Assisi, as well as St Francis’ tomb. It was a special time of spiritual growth.

    I pray for my mother in law who will be operated on tomorrow morning as well as for my wife who also needs to have an operation later this year or early next year; that they will both recover well and that through your intercession to God, we may all as a family and with our children come again to Assisi and visit your tombs in a year or two.

  15. OH ST. CLARE OF ASSISI help me to have more faith and more strength to do my prayer every day of my life,help me this moment of my life where by every thing is getting heard for me mostly how to start a life, help me to relocate from this island and help me to find a wife that will help me to get more close to GOD all the days of my life. give my mother good health and more strength in JESUS NAME I PRAY. AMEN.

  16. Amen. Onyii, we pray for Nigeria. We are all members of the Body of Christ. I know there is much persecution in Nigeria and other countries.

  28. St Clare through your intercession that God granted my niece wish to pass the incoming Nutritionist and Dietetics Board examination.
    Pray for us,

  29. Oh St Clare , pray for me that I too may know Christ and become a saint like you. Mercy and grace upon my family, every christan and this country 9ja. Amen.

  32. Saint Clare, pray for us. For increased purity, modesty, poverty, chastity, obedience. May the most holy names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, be ever praised and glorified. Amen.

  33. Saint Clara.
    As I never fail to call upon ur name and you whom I saw ur body in ur Cathedral , you who denied the world to take on poverty. I beg you to look upon my wife’s illness and heal her. And for my life spam I will be in debt to you. And If you do not you are always in my heart.

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