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Clare, of Assisi, Saint, 1194-1253

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1194 July 16 - 1253 August 11

Biographical note

Born at Assisi in 1194, at the age of eighteen she was drawn to the ideal of Christian poverty preached by Saint Francis. She ran away from home and took the veil from Francis himself, who provided a refuge for her with the Benedictine nuns of San Paolo and finally at San Damiano, where the first convent of Poor Clares was established under her guidance. She governed it for forty years, and popes, cardinals and bishops came to consult her. She was canonized in 1255, just two years after her death. In art she is usually represented with a monstrance in her hand in memory of her having in this attitude miraculously saved her convent from assault.

(paraphrased from The Book of Saints : A Dictionary of Persons Canonized or Beatified by the Catholic Church. 5th edition. New York: Crowell, 1966.)

Alternate names

Claire, Chiara Offreduccio, Clara

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Multiple saints, between 1934 and 1947, undated, bulk: 1926–1968

 File — Multiple Containers
Scope and Contents Includes Saints Agnes, Aloysius Gonzaga, SJ, Andrew the Apostle, Anne, Anthony of Padua, Benedict, Blaise, Brigid, Catherine Labouré, Cecilia, Christopher, Clare of Assisi, Dymphna, Francis de Sales, Francis of Assisi, Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, Genesius of Rome, Gerard Majella, Gerebernus, Hubert, Jane Frances de Chantal, John Berchmans, SJ, John Neumann, John XXIII, Joseph, Jude, Louise de Marillac, Luisa, Martha, Martin, Mary Magdalene, Michael, Patrick, Paul of the Cross, Peter,...
Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: between 1934 and 1947, undated; Majority of material found within 1926–1968

Multiple saints, 1959, 1969, undated, bulk: 1926–1968

 File — Multiple Containers
Scope and Contents Includes Saints Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, Amabilis, Andrew the Apostle, Anne, Anterus, Anthony of Padua, Aurelius and Timothy, Bartholomew the Apostle, Bernadette Soubirous, Camillus de Lellis, Clare of Assisi, Colette, Emilie, Felix I, Gabriel, Gerard Majella, Gordianus, Ignatius of Loyola, SJ, Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Jeanne de Lestonnac, Jesus, John, John Berchmans, SJ, Julius, Linus, Margaret Mary Alacoque, Mary, Nicholas, Paul the Apostle, Peter, Philip the Apostle, Pius X,...
Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: 1959, 1969, undated; Majority of material found within 1926–1968

Saint Clare of Assisi, undated

 File — Box 60, tray: 3, Item: 8
Scope and Contents

Features Saint Clare in her role as patron of television

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Dates: undated