St. Clare of Assisi was born in Assisi on July 16, 1194, as Chiara Offreduccio, the beautiful eldest daughter of Favorino Sciffi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and his wife Ortolana. Clare's sister Agnes soon joined her, and they moved to the Church of San Damiano, recently rebuilt by Francis. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Her great concern was to obtain a rule reflecting the spirit of Francis to replace the Benedictine rule that Cardinal Ugolino (later Pope Gregory IX) had adapted for her order. When Clare was 18, Francis of Assisi came to preach in the church of San Giorgio at Assisi. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Clare-of-Assisi, The Catholic Encyclopedia - Biography of St. Clare of Assisi, Poor Clares of Lynton - Biography of Clare of Assisi, The Lectionary - Biography of Clare of Assisi, Domestic-Church.com - Biography of Saint Clare of Assisi. Saint Clare of Assisi with nuns of her order, fresco from the church of San Damiano, near Assisi, Italy. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Meet extraordinary women who dared to bring gender equality and other issues to the forefront. Born to a noble family, Clare of Assisi was expected to make an advantageous marriage, but instead, she was called to God after hearing Saint Francis preach. She was the eldest child in the family. Italian Dominican theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas was one of the most influential medieval thinkers of Scholasticism and the father of the Thomistic school of theology. Saint Francis of Assisi abandoned a life of luxury for a life devoted to Christianity after reportedly hearing the voice of God, who commanded him to rebuild the Christian church and live in poverty. Clare’s parents wanted a good life for their daughter, who was born in Assisi in Italy in 1194. Inspired by the words of Francis of Assisi, Clare fled her home and joined Francis, establishing her own religious order. They later became known as the Poor Clares or the Order of…, Clare of Assisi in 1212. Clare was born Chiara Offreduccio di Favaronne in Assisi, a hillside town in central Italy, in July of 1194. a) Rome, Italy b) Assisi,Italy c) Assisi, Canada d)Caledon, Canada, What day was St. Clare born? If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. (Two days before Clare died, Pope Innocent IV finally approved her request.) Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). She took vows dedicating her life to God, and that moment, occurring on March 20, 1212, marked the beginning of the Second Order of Saint Francis. Her father, Favorino, was a wealthy man who owned several castles and palaces. Younger sister of St. Clare and Abbess of the Poor Ladies, born at Assisi, 1197, or 1198; died 1253.She was the younger daughter of Count Favorino Scifi. On the second occasion, when a larger force headed by Gen. Vitale d’Aversa besieged Assisi, Clare and her nuns fervently prayed for the Assisians, and a great storm dispersed the attackers. Memorial. Born circa 1181, in Assisi, duchy of Spoleto, Italy, ... Saint Clare of Assisi was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. Inspired by his words, Clare asked Francis to help her in dedicating her life to God, and he vowed to do so. Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1193 to wealthy parents, and was taught to read and write as well as spin yarn and do needlework. At age 15 she refused to marry. Feast of St Clare of Assisi (11th August) The Lady Clare, "shining in name, more shining in life," was born in the town of Assisi about the year 1193. (Known as the Order of San Damiano, 10 years after Clare's death the order would be renamed the Order of Saint Clare.). Clare of Assisi was born Chiara Offreduccio, on July 16, 1194, in Assisi, Italy, to Favorino Sciffi, the count of Sasso-Rosso, and Ortolana, during the era of the Crusades (religious wars). She was likely schooled at some point, for the writings that surv… St Clare of Assisi was an Italian nun. Her mother was to become Blessed Ortolana di Fiumi. It wasn't long before other women joined them, and San Damiano's residents, known for their ascetic lifestyle, became known as the "Poor Ladies." First appearing in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Saint Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus Christ and the husband of the Virgin Mary. St. Clare of Assisi, Clare also spelled Clara, Italian Santa Chiara d’Assisi, (born July 16, 1194, Assisi, duchy of Spoleto [Italy]—died August 11, 1253, Assisi; canonized 1255; feast day August 11), abbess and founder of the Poor Clares (Clarissines). After hearing St. Francis preach, she confided in him her desire to live for God. …at Assisi in 1212 by St. Clare, who was under the guidance of St. Francis. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. Many joined Clare, including her mother and her sister St. Agnes of Assisi, and soon the Poor Clares were housed in the church and convent of San Damiano, near Assisi. (1194–1253) Person. 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