Santa Chiara d'Assisi

Today is the feast of St. Clare of Assisi. She died on this date, 11 Aug 1253. She was the co-foundress of the Order of Poor Ladies (Poor Clares) along with St. Francis of Assisi. Chiara Offreduccio was the eldest daughter of Favorino Scifi, Count of Sasso-Rosso. At age 18 she heard St. Francis preach & was touched by his message. She continued to meet with him for spiritual guidance. On Palm Sunday, 20 Mar 1212 she left home to follow in St. Francis' way of life. That nite at the Portiuncula St. Francis cut her hair, gave her a habit of rough cloth & a veil. She took a vow of poverty & service to Jesus. Needless to say, her family was less than happy. 16 days later her sister Agnes followed her. Eventually she was joined by more followers & at San Damiano founded the 1st Poor Clare convent. She was appointed Abbess by St. Francis in 1215 & remained so until her death in 1253.

In 1234 the army of Frederick II attacked her convent at San Damiano. She got up from her sick bed & went to the chapel. There she got the ciborium with the Eucharist & went to the door of the convent. Holding up the ciborium (some versions say it was a monstrance) the army was repeled. Some time later a 2nd force came to attack Assisi. She gathered her sisters in prayer. a storm broke out & scattered the army, driving it away. Assisi was spared.

Santa Chiara was named the patroness of television because of what occured during an illness in the later part of her life. She was unable to attend Mass so God allowed a vision of it to appear on her wall of her cell. Some stories even have an angel bringing her the Eucharist. It is appropriate that 1 of her daughters, Mother Angelica PCPA, went on to found the 1st Catholic television network, EWTN. Thus her service to Jesus continues to this very day.

On 15 Aug 1255 Pope Alexander IV officially declared her a saint.

"Place your mind in the mirror of eternity;

Place your soul in the splendor of glory;

Place your heart in the figure of the divine substance;

And, through contemplation, transform your entire

being into the image of the Divine One himself,

So that you, yourself, may also experience what his

friends experience when they taste the hidden

sweetness that God alone has kept from the beginning

For those who love him."

(From a letter to her sister, St Agnes of Prague)