St. Clare of Assisi

St. Clare was born Chiara Offreduccio on July 16, 1194 in Assisi Italy. Her family was wealthy. Clare was devoted to prayer as a child and at age 18 she heard Francis preach during a Lenten service in the church of San Giorgio at Assisi. On Palm Sunday 1212, she exchanged her rich gown for a plain robe and veil. Her father attempted to force her to come home but she resisted, clinging to the altar. She professed she would have no husband but Jesus Christ. Eventually other woman followed in the way of Clare including her sister and they took the name “Poor Ladies of San Damiano”

In 1216, Clare accepted the position of abbess, in her new role she had more authority to lead. Clare sought to imitate the ways of Francis.

In 1224, the army of Fredrick II came to destroy Assisi, Clare went to meet them with the Blessed Sacrament despite being very unwell. Suddenly a terror came over the enemies and they fled without harming anyone in the city.

Clare died on August 11, 1253.

She is the patron of eye disease, goldsmiths, tv, embroiderers, gilders and good weather.