Honouring St. Clare

Yesterday was the Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi. You probably know by now that I'm not big on designated, canonized superstars of the faith, but Clare was a remarkable human being. She was a one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi and even though she came from a wealthy family she adopted a life of radical poverty, much to her family's consternation. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Clare wrote their Rule of Life, the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honour as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.  Her feast day is on the 11th of August but it is celebrated on the 12th because two male saints already had dibs on the day...hey, it never ends.


Some of you may remember the film Brother Sun, Sister Moon which was primarily a romanticized story of the life of St. Francis which included his friendship with Clare. It was 1972 so it had a sort of hippy vibe to it, as you can see in the poster.

I figure we should give the faithful women who managed to be noticed amidst the patriarchy of the ages all the attention we can muster, and Clare is amongst them.

Here is a sonnet honouring Clare by Malcom Guite.

Santa Chiara, lovely claritas

Whose soul in stillness holds love’s pure reflection,

Shining through you as Holy Caritas,

Lucid and lucent, bringing to perfection

The girl whom Love has called to call us all

Back into truth, simplicity and grace.

Your love for Francis, radiant through the veil,

Reveals in both of you your saviour’s face.

Christ holds the mirror of your given life

Up to the world he gives himself to save,

A sacrament to keep your city safe,

A window into his eternal love.

Unveiled in heaven, dancing in the light,

Pray for this pilgrim soul in his dark night.