Clare of Assisi

Saint Clare of Assisi, born Chiara Offreduccio (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253) was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.

Unlike the Franciscan friars, whose members moved around the country to preach, Saint Clare's sisters lived in enclosure, since an itinerant life was hardly conceivable at the time for women. Their life consisted of manual labour and prayer.


Propers for Clare of Assisi - Virgin and Nun

The Collect.

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us, we pray thee, from an inordinate love of this world, that, inspired by the devotion of thy servant Clare, we may serve thee with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever. Amen.


The Epistle - Song of Solomon 2:10-13.


The Gospel - St Matthew 25:1-13a.


Reference and Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_of_Assisi
http://www.missionstclare.com/english/people/aug11.html
http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/08/11.html
http://www.episcopalnet.org/1928bcp/propers/Missal/August12.html


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