Patron Saint: Embroiderers, needle workers
Saint Clare was born to a wealthy family of a count and countess in Assisi Italy, on July 16th 1194. While walking in the street, Clare was deeply inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi preaching. Clare started a conversation with Saint Francis and they quickly became friends. It was at this point that Clare confided to Francis that she wished to devote her life to God, and she ran away from her palace to join the convent of the Church of Our Lady of the Angels in Assisi.
After several years of service, Clare founded the Order of Poor Ladies devoted to complete Faith in God and the service of providing for the poor strictly based on Divine charity. Running a charity without materials or money was a very new idea in humility. Clare led the charity for 40 years and in between her service, the Convent was attacked by marauders. Saint Clare simply offered them Sacrament while praying and the marauders left. St. Clare of Assisi died of natural causes.
Novena to St. Clare of Assisi:
Dear St. Clare, as a young girl you imitated your mother's love for the poor of your native Assisi. Inspired by the preaching of St. Francis, who sang enthusiastically of His Lord Jesus and Lady Poverty, you gave your life to Jesus at nineteen years of age, allowing St. Francis to cut off your beautiful hair and invest you with the Franciscan habit. All through your life you offered your great suffering for your Sisters, the Poor Clares, and the conversion of souls. You greatly aided St. Francis with his new order, carrying on his spirit in the Franciscans after his death. Most of all you had a deep love of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, which fueled your vocation to love and care for the poor. Please pray for me (mention your request) that I will seek to keep Jesus as my first love, as you did. Help me to grow in love of the Blessed Sacrament, to care for the poor, and to offer my whole life to God. Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of St. Clare. Through her intercession, please hear and answer my prayer, in the name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.
Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
- Saint Clare of Assisi
Name Means: Brilliant
Born: July, 1194
Died: August, 1253
Canonized: September, 1255 by Pope Alexander IV
Why she is venerated by the Holy Roman Catholic Church:
First women of the Franciscan Order
Critical to the establishment of the Franciscan Order
Established the Order of Poor Ladies
Order of Poor Ladies being the first to subsist strictly based on prayer and God's grace. (i.e. no money was accepted from anyone to keep the order alive)
Zealot for the Passion of Christ
Saint Clare Charm Medal
Patrick
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