SAINT CLARE

WITNESS




8-11-13




THE PATRON SAINT OF TELEVISION-SAINT CLARE




She was born in Assisi, Italy
But nothing is known
Of her early life


At 18
She was so moved
By the teachings of Saint Francis
She became
One of his followers


She renounced
All of her possessions
And took the habit of a nun


She then
Joined the religious life
And Francis offered her
And her companions
A small house
Next to the church at San Damiano


She became the abbess
Of a community of women
Who lived
According to the rule
And spirit of Saint Francis


This group included Clare, Clare’s mother
Two of her sisters
And some wealthy members from Florence, Italy


Their way of life
Was one of extreme poverty
And austerity
They lived entirely by alms
And renounced all rents


Like the Franciscans
The “Poor Clares”
Spread to other parts of Europe
Especially Spain


Clare lived in Assisi
Her entire life
And was considered
One of the great contemplatives
Of her generation


She adopted Francis’ ideals
Including his love of nature
Which continued
Long after Francis’ death


For the last 27 years of her life
She had various illnesses
And was sometimes bedridden
But she never lost her devotion
To the other nuns
Or to the town of Assisi


She was canonized
Two years after her death
And the Poor Clares
Continue to today
As a contemplative order
Still distinguished by the ideals
In which it was founded


Today-August 11^th-is her feast day
And she is considered to be
THE PATRON SAINT OF TELEVISION


Robert P. Wallman
August 9^th, 2012


Ps Today-is my niece Stephanie’s 19th birthday
She took the name of Clare as her confirmation name WITNESS 8-11-14
8-10-18