Title: Saint Clare of Assisi
Authors: Bob and Penny Lord
Publisher: Journeys of Faith
Format: Printed minibook
32 Pages
Saint Clare of Assisi
Sister Moon to Francis’ Brother Sun
Great Mystic - Role Model - Incorrupt
“Always be lovers of God and your souls and the souls of your Sisters, and always be eager to observe what you have promised to the Lord”
It would be very easy for anyone, even someone as well known and loved as our Pope John Paul II to be dwarfed by the aura and the presence of the little poverello, St. Francis, to be totally overshadowed by the essence of Francis which continues to cover Assisi. Unless, however, that anyone happened to be Clare, the fairest in the land, the noble lady who gave her whole life over to Jesus through the inspiration of His little messenger on earth, Francis. As Mother Mary is the moon, reflecting the Light of Jesus, so Clare is sister moon, reflecting the light of Francis.
Saint Clare of Assisi
When a pilgrim approaches the great hill of Assisi from the valley of Santa Maria degli Angeli, he cannot help but notice the two largest, most imposing buildings in Assisi. At one end of town, on the Hill of Hell, later renamed the Hill of Paradise, looms the grand tribute to Francis, the Basilica of St. Francis. On the other end of town, somewhat smaller, so as not to outshine the Seraphic Father, rises the Basilica of St. Clare. It was originally called the Chapel of St. George. After Francis’ death, it became his resting place until the grand Basilica was built.
Saint Clare was truly Saint Francis' partner in Christ. She was the first female member of the Franciscan community. She fought against the whole Franciscan community, including popes, to maintain the original Rule of Saint Francis. After his death, she spent the rest of her life caring for her ladies. She would not even die before her rule for the Poor Clares was approved by the Pope.
Clare is a role model for all women in headship, not exclusively of the Church, but especially of the Church. She may very well have been placed on this earth to be a prototype for Superiors of Religious Communities, male and female, for centuries to come. Clare could easily be the standard bearer for anyone who would lead a community of people, whether it be a Religious Community, as Superior, or a country, as President, Dictator, or King. And her philosophy was not new, or complicated. It was simple. "Love one another as I have loved you."
She vanquished the Saracens with a Miracle of the Eucharist.
We discuss her Convent of San Damiano in Assisi. We discuss the balcony where Saint Francis stayed prior to his death. We describe her cell, and the place where she gave up her soul to the Lord.
Saint Clare of Assisi Video from Bob and Penny Lord on Vimeo.
