| Saint Clare of Montefalco | |
|---|---|
| St. Clare of the Cross | |
| Born | 1268, Montefalco |
| Died | 18 August 1318, Montefalco |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholicism |
| Canonized | 1881, Rome by Pope Leo XIII |
| Feast | August 17 |
 Saints Portal |
|
St. Clare of Montefalco (Italian: Chiara da Montefalco), also called St. Clare of the Cross (c. 1268 - 18 August, 1318) is a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. She was a 13th Century Italian Abbess and religious leader.
Contents |
Life
Born at Montefalco, Clare is revered by both the Franciscan and Augustinian orders as one of their own. Initially, as a 6 year old she joined with her own blood sisters and other friends to begin a Franciscan house, Holy Cross Convent at Montefalco, Italy. Her sister Joan was the first abbess. At the young age of 23, Clare became the abbess of Santa Croce after the death of her sister, and under her direction, the house adopted the Rule of Saint Augustine. She was widely regarded by her contemporaries as a mystic, and was sought after for advice. She died at her native Montefalco. She was canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.
Her Story
Very well-known is Santa Clara, the one who followed San Francisco de Asis. But there is another Santa Clara not less heroic and audacious in its love for Jesus Christ, who was born near Asis, in Montefalco in 1268. The name of her parents was, Damiano and Iacopa Vengente, who had 4 children altogether. Their older sister, Giovanna 20 years old and her friend Andreola settled down a Hermitage, where they dedicated themselves to a life of sacrifice and oration. In year 1274 the ecclesiastical authorities granted Giovanna approval to receive more sisters. The first candidate was her Clear sister, 6 years old. Her parents' example, who were very devoted to Jesus and His Mother, and that of her sister and companion, contributed to the development of Clare's desire to serve God. In 1278 two years after Clare had entered the Convent, Marine, a friend to Clare, followed along with many others. For this reason they had to change their living place to a mountain near the city, where they constructed another Hermitage.
Clare is chosen to be the Abbess
In Nov. 22.1291, her sister Giovanna dies. It was a hard blow very for Clare because she saw in her sister an example follow and the person who formed her spiritual life. The Bishop's representative arrived for the election of the new Abbess. The nuns unanimously chose to Clare. Feeling unworthy, she requested her sisters to choose somebody else, but her request was not listened. She accepted her responsibility, although she felt unworthy, and became Mother, Teacher, and Spiritual Director.
"How much I have waited for somebody to whom I could trust my Cross"
Year 1294 was a decisive year in Clare's life. In the celebration of the Epiphany, after making a general confession in front of all the sisters, she fell in ecstasies and thus remained by several weeks. The sisters maintained her with life giving her sugared water. During this time, Clare had a vision, in which she saw herself being judged in front of God, "I saw the hopeless Hell with all the lost souls and the Heavens with the saints, enjoying perfect happiness in the presence of God. I saw God in all his Majesty. He told me how unconditionally faithful to Him a soul must be to really live with Him and in Him." She also said: "Without God's protection I would be the worse woman in the world". In the year of 1303 she was able to build the Church that she had much dreamed. It would not only serve as convent, but to the town's community. The first stone was blessed in June 24 1303 by the Bishop of Espoleto and that day the Church was dedicated to Holy Cross. Clare also had a vision of Jesus dressed like a traveling poor man; his countenance overwhelmed by the weight of the cross and his body showing the signs of a hard way loading the cross. Clare kneeled in front of Him trying to stop Him, and asked Him, "My Lord where are thy going?"; Jesus answered:” I have looked all over the world for a strong place where to plant this Cross firmly, and I have not found any". Clare looked at him showing Jesus the desire to share His cross. Jesus' face shone then of love and joy. His quest had finished. He said to her: "Clare, I have found a place for my cross here; I have finally found somebody to whom I can trust my cross ", and it was implanted in her heart. The intense pain that she felt in all her body, when receiving the Cross of Jesus in her heart, remained with her.
Her Last Will
In July 1308 she could no longer rise out of her bed. In August 15, at night, she called the nuns and left them her last spiritual will: "I offer my soul for all of you and for our Lord Jesus Christ. Be blessed by God and me. I pray, my daughters, for you to behave well and for all the work that God has made me do for you be blessed too. Be humble, obedient; be such women, that God is always praised through you ". After speaking, she requested the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
Her Relics
On Saturday August 16, 1308 she died aided by her brother Francisco. The nuns immediately prepared the body so that everybody could see it. First they cleared her heart wood box. The funeral mass was celebrated on August 18. That night, the sisters opened the box where Clare’s heart was kept to prepare it. To their astonishment, the Clare's words came to life; in front of them were the marks of the Passion of Jesus. Within the heart it was the perfect form of Jesus crucified, still the crown of thorns in His head and the wound of the lance in His flank; additionally, made of ligaments and sinews, the flagella used in the flagellation, with the ends showing the metal balls. Another finding was 3 stones within her bladder. When the nuns investigated, they discovered that the 3 stones, as large as a nut, were perfectly equal in size, form and weight. All weighed the same; one weighed as much as two, two as three and one like three. The sisters interpreted this as a sign of the so great Clare's great love towards the Holy Trinity. Clare's body produced such fragrance, that they could not bury it. Her body, after 700 years, has not decomposed. The Apostolic process arrived after the Pope in 1328, but her canonization in San Peter, happened until December 8, 1881, Celebration of the Immaculate Conception. Her relics are kept in the Church of The Holy Cross in Montefalco. The marks of the passion and the three stones of her bladder can be contemplated along with the relics of her heart.
