Wednesday, March 3, 2010

St. Clare of Assisi (July 16, 1194 to Aug. 11, 1253)


With the snip of a scissors, her long, flowing blonde hair became a short bob. This was my introduction to St. Clare of Assisi as a small child when I saw the movie "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" which was directed by Franco Zeffirelli (1972).
St. Clare chopped off her hair and threw away her worldly possessions to follow in the footsteps of her dear friend St. Francis of Assisi. Their story is magnificent. When I went to Assisi, Italy seeing St. Clare's Basilica was part of my experience. The fields were a palette of wildflowers and the medieval town looked much like it did in her time.
St. Clare was born in Assisi on July 16 (Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel), 1194. She was one of the very first followers of St. Francis. She founded the Order of the Poor Ladies which would become the Poor Clares after her death. St. Clare died on Aug. 11, 1253. She is the patron saint of clairvoyance and good weather. Canonization: Sept. 26, 1255

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