Image Two In Clare’s time, society was divided into the “majores” and the “minores,” the haves and the have-
life without privilege
nots. Like the Friars, the Poor Ladies of San Damiano (as they were called) chose to be the latter. They supported themselves through manual labor, but depended mightily on God’s providence for their needs. The bread that might have come to them was just as readily given to the poor at the door. A canonization story tells of a time when all that was left was a half loaf for 50 nuns. “Bless
generosity
the bread and keep cutting,” Clare directed as she silently prayed. Piece by piece the bread was given to each one with enough for all.
A question to ponder:
strength
What is the area of my life where I need to trust in God’s loving care with total abandon?
conviction Image Three When, in 1234, the army of Frederick II was devastating the valley of Spoleto, the soldiers, preparatory to an assault upon Assisi, scaled the walls of San Damiano by night, spreading terror among the community of the Poor Ladies of San Damiano. Clare, calmly rising from her sickbed, and taking the ciborium from the little chapel adjoining her cell, proceeded to face the invaders at an open window against which they had already placed a ladder. It is related that, as she raised the Blessed
ST. CLARE
Sacrament on high, the soldiers who were about to enter the monastery fell backward as if daz-
zled, and the others who were ready to follow them took flight. The enemy abandoned its plans to invade Assisi, and to this day, the town celebrates this saving event.
Clare’s response was completely non-violent. We can speculate that, if she chose, she could have used violent means. She came from a family of knights and was familiar with combat. But the spir-
it of “minores,” and the Gospel commandment of love, inspired in Clare a response based on calm and spiritual strength.
A question to ponder: What are the subtle ways that our culture of violence influences my life? What can I change?