Born in Italy at the end of the 12th century, her Baptismal name was Chiara which is Italian for Clare. 

Her father and mother, Favarone and Ortolana Offerduccio, were from an ancient Roman family. Her father was a count and the family had a great love for The Lord. 

As a child, she was devoted to prayer. 

As she was growing up, the family looked for a proper husband for her and seemed to have found one when she was in her mid-teens. 

All of this changed, however, when Clare heard the preaching of St. Francis of Assisi during a Lenten service. 

Afterward, on the evening of Palm Sunday in 1212, she left her father’s castle, some have used the word “escaped”, and was escorted by her Aunt Bianca to meet St. Francis in a small chapel. 

There, she received her habit and had her beautiful, long hair cut by Francis. 

Francis directed Clare to enter The Benedictines at a local monastery. 

After several attempts by her father to retrieve her, Francis sent Clare to another Benedictine monastery near Subasio where she was later joined by her sister, who took the name Agnes and who would, herself, become a saint. 

Eventually, other women joined them including Clare’s mother. 

Still in her early twenties and somewhat reluctantly, Clare accepted the role Francis gave her as Abbess, a role she would hold for the rest of her life. 

Eventually, Francis moved them from the Benedictines to a small dwelling next to the Church of San Damiano, and living in poverty, austerity, and seclusion, they became known as The Poor Ladies of San Damiano. 

The nuns begged for what they needed and then shared what they were given with the poor. Clare would wash the feet of the nuns when they returned. 

Though she never left San Damiano, Clare became widely known and Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops came to her seeking guidance. 

At one point, when an attack by the Saracens seemed imminent, Clare had the Blessed Sacrament placed on the walls of San Damiano and she said: “I beseech Thee, oh Lord, protect those whom I am now unable to protect.” 

After telling the sisters not to be afraid, the Saracens fled. 

Clare and Francis remained close friends until his death in 1226. 

After many years of poor health, she died on this day in 1253 

St. Clare of Assisi, please pray for us.