Born in Montefalco, Italy, in 1268, Clare (Chiara) was devoted to Christ from a very tender age. When she was still a child, she left her mother and father to follow Christ. She lived as a third order religious, most likely Franciscan, with her older sister Joan (Giovanna). Together they practiced piety, humility, and made reparations for the sins of the world through penance. It is noted that Clare was often too eager in her penances and needed to be tempered by Joan.
By 1280, the two sisters had attracted so many young women that their father had to build a larger enclosure for them. This is known today as the Montefalco Monastery. They adopted the Augustinian rule in 1290 and were officially recognized by their bishop as a religious order. After the death of her sister Joan in 1291, Clare reluctantly became the abbess. She was beloved by all of the sisters and her holiness and wisdom was highly regarded in the neighboring towns. Many people from all walks of life would come to the monastery to seek her advice, and she was always ready to help all who knocked.
Clare was not without suffering in her life. From 1288-1299, she suffered the dark night of the soul. She felt no presence of God, no comfort in prayer, for eleven years. Through this, however, she persevered and continued to grow in grace and virtue. She often would tell her sisters, “I have Jesus Christ crucified within my heart.” Clare passed away at the monastery on August 17, 1308. After she died, her devoted sisters remembered her words and opened her heart to find a cross and the marks of Christ’s crucifixion physically imprinted on it. To this day her incorrupt body is on display in Montefalco.
Practical Lessons
- Practice Obedience: St. Clare had noble desires to make reparations through physical penance, but when her sister called her to yield her more extreme practices, she recognized her wisdom and authority and obeyed without complaint. We can learn from her beautiful, well ordered submission and listen to those wise figures in our own life who help set us on the right path.
- Persevere Through Trials: St. Clare did not lose her faith when God gave her spiritual dryness. Instead, she chose to cling to the cross and allow it to slowly root out her hidden faults. She was greatly rewarded for her steadfastness.
Prayer
O Saint Clare, virgin of the Cross, in whose heart the Lord engraved the mystery of His Passion, teach us to make our hearts His dwelling place. Obtain for us the grace to bear our trials with courage, to accept the cross He chooses for us, and to be renewed in prayer until we are conformed to His image. Amen.
Quote
“I have Jesus Christ crucified within my heart.” — St. Clare of Montefalco
Editor’s Note: This original prayer was written by Faith and Verse and first published at FaithandVerse.art. Reprinted with permission.
