St Clare -
Patroness of Sore Eyes
Feast Day - August 11
Clare was a beautiful Italian
noblewoman who became the Foundress of an order of nuns now called "Poor
Clares." When she heard St. Francis of Assisi preach, her heart burned with a great
desire to imitate Francis and to live a poor humble life for Jesus. So one evening, she
ran away from home, and in a little chapel outside Assisi, 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. Soon her sister, St. Agnes joined her, as well as other young women who wanted to be
brides of Jesus, and live without any money.
St. Clare and her sisters
wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Yet
they were very happy, because Our Lord was close to them all the time. Once, He saved them
from a great danger in answer to St. Clare's prayer. An army of rough soldiers came to
attack Assisi and they planned to raid the convent first. Although very sick, St. Clare
had herself carried to the wall and right there, where the enemies could see it, she had
the Blessed Sacrament placed. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters.
"O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now," she prayed. A voice
seemed to answer: "I will keep them always in My care." At the same time a
sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could. St. Clare was sick
and suffered great pains for many years, but she said that no pain could trouble her. So
great was her joy in serving the Lord that she once exclaimed: "They say that we are
too poor, but can a heart which possesses the infinite God be truly called poor?" We
should remember this miracle of the Blessed Sacrament when in Church. Then we will pray
with great Faith to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist: "Save me, O Lord, from every evil -
of soul and body." Her feast day is August 11.
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