Perhaps one of the most significant and influential patrons of the Franciscan order was St Clare of Assisi. Though she had noble beginnings she soon turned to a life of humble worship. Her work as a peacemaker and leader make her an ideal role model for the current generation and generations to come. As the main female identity within the Franciscan order, St Clare also opened the pathway of spirituality for other women. St Clare was born in 1193 in Assisi to a rich noble family. She refused two offers of marriage and finally under the influence of Saint Francis made up her mind to lead religious life. Secretly leaving home at the age of 18, and with the guidance of Francis gave herself to God. St. Francis cut off her hair and gave her a rough brown habit to wear, tied with a plain cord around her waist. Her parents tried in every way to make her return home, but Clare would not. She went first to a Benedictine house, but when other women also wished to live the Franciscan way, St Francis set up a separate community in Assisi with Clare as Abbess, a position she occupied until her death. St Clare is a significant character in the history of medieval monasticism (religious way of life).
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She is considered the first female author of a monastic rule. She was the founder of the poor ladies, later known as the order of Saint Clare, whose goal is to live a religious life of prayer while helping the poor. St Clare also held the belief that all life was precious and often urged her sisters to gaze upon the lives around them and view the beauty life held. She taught her sisters to live solely on donations and they should have a strong connection with God and the earth. In Clare's time in the poor ladies invaders under the command of emperor Fredrick II attempted to attack Assisi, during the attacks St Clare held the heavenly host in front of the invaders and scared them off. St Clare believed a prayer filled life is the most worthy way to live, to worship God throughout one’s life. Saint Clare was a symbol of peace. Everywhere she preached she inspired peace between people. At even a young age St Clare was always kind and generous, she would often hide food her own meals to give to the poor. Later in life after Clare became abbess of the poor ladies she divided all her time between manual labour and prayer, all in an effort to help those less fortunate. St Clare followed closely in the footsteps of St Francis who himself wrote "The true peacemakers are those who preserve peace of mind and body for love of our Lord Jesus Christ, despite what they suffer in this world". In this quote Francis is saying that people who put their effort into helping others, no matter what state they're in, are the true peacemakers. Through her actions St Clare clearly demonstrates the traits of a peacemaker. Pope Benedict XVI once wrote a letter to Bishop Dominica about the importance of Saint Clare and her teachings on May 2012 while celebrating the Clarian year. Pope benedict says Clare's history "also speaks to our generation, and has a particular Franciscanation for the young." Saint Clare ending her previous life as the daughter of a noble
She is considered the first female author of a monastic rule. She was the founder of the poor ladies, later known as the order of Saint Clare, whose goal is to live a religious life of prayer while helping the poor. St Clare also held the belief that all life was precious and often urged her sisters to gaze upon the lives around them and view the beauty life held. She taught her sisters to live solely on donations and they should have a strong connection with God and the earth. In Clare's time in the poor ladies invaders under the command of emperor Fredrick II attempted to attack Assisi, during the attacks St Clare held the heavenly host in front of the invaders and scared them off. St Clare believed a prayer filled life is the most worthy way to live, to worship God throughout one’s life. Saint Clare was a symbol of peace. Everywhere she preached she inspired peace between people. At even a young age St Clare was always kind and generous, she would often hide food her own meals to give to the poor. Later in life after Clare became abbess of the poor ladies she divided all her time between manual labour and prayer, all in an effort to help those less fortunate. St Clare followed closely in the footsteps of St Francis who himself wrote "The true peacemakers are those who preserve peace of mind and body for love of our Lord Jesus Christ, despite what they suffer in this world". In this quote Francis is saying that people who put their effort into helping others, no matter what state they're in, are the true peacemakers. Through her actions St Clare clearly demonstrates the traits of a peacemaker. Pope Benedict XVI once wrote a letter to Bishop Dominica about the importance of Saint Clare and her teachings on May 2012 while celebrating the Clarian year. Pope benedict says Clare's history "also speaks to our generation, and has a particular Franciscanation for the young." Saint Clare ending her previous life as the daughter of a noble