August 11: Saint Clare of Assisi / Santa Clara de Asís

Early in the 13^th century, a young woman by the name of Clare, who lived in Assisi, was inspired by the preaching and life of a young man named Francis. She made a conscientious choice to follow Christ as Francis did. In short order, other women soon joined her, including her mother and sisters, and the church of San Damiano in Assisi became the "mother house" for the group. After Clare’s death, the sisters became known as the Sisters of Saint Clare, or the Poor Clares. An observer at the time wrote in praise of their “steadfast practice of charity, humility, virginity, and chastity, abstinence and silence, patience and contemplation.” They lived according to a Rule of Life written by Clare, similar to those written for monks of the time, but the first written specifically for women.

The lives of St. Clare and her Sisters revolved around a rhythm of prayer, which was the principal activity of their day. Her writings show her fascination with the person of Jesus, and “her understanding of life as a continuous relationship with Christ which expresses itself most beautifully in unceasing prayer.” She taught her Sisters that prayer was simply a matter of falling in love with Jesus. “May you totally love Him who gave Himself totally for your love,” she wrote. 

The Sisters lived in physical poverty, relying on the generosity and dedication of others for their support, trusting in the providence of God. St. Clare believed that a life without possessions freed one to enter more profoundly into God’s mystery, and to connect with Jesus, who was born and lived a life of poverty.

For more: https://stclareroseville.org/st-clare-of-assisi

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Aunque de noble familia y bien educada, Santa Clara se sintió atraída por los ideales de pobreza de San Francisco de Asís. Contra la presión de su familia, distribuyó sus posesiones a los pobres y fundó la Orden Franciscana de Pobres Claras (popularmente conocidas como “Claras o Clarisas”), que se dedican a una vida de pobreza y oración. Santa Clara comprendió que la pobreza hace a una persona libre para amar – amar a Dios de modo indiviso y estar disponible para amar y servir a los hermanos y hermanas. Su lema fue: “Oh Dios, soy feliz porque tú me creaste.”

Oremos. “Señor Dios nuestro, te damos gracias hoy por el ejemplo de Santa Clara. Ella comprendió que para poseerte a ti uno debe ser libre de cosas que nos distraen y alejan de ti. Danos también a nosotros la riqueza de mantener viva nuestra libertad interior con respecto a posesiones y apegos mundanos y ábrenos a la verdadera riqueza: que consiste en entregarnos generosamente a ti y a tu pueblo. Te lo pedimos por medio de Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.”