<p>Clare was born in Assisi, about the year 1193. At the age of 18 she heard a sermon by Francis of Assisi and committed herself to a life of gospel poverty. On the evening of Passion Sunday 1212, she secretly left her home and went to the place where Francis lived with his community. Before the altar in the little church, she received the habit from him and went to live in a nearby Benedictine convent.</p>
<p>Clare was joined by her younger sister Agnes and others, and the small community moved to San Damiano, near Assisi. Soon after, Clare's mother and sister Beatrice also joined them. In 1215, Clare was made abbess of the Poor Clares and the women modelled their life on the ideals of St Francis. Such was their zeal for austerity that they did without shoes, slept on the ground and never ate meat. Before long, other houses were founded in several European countries.</p>
<p>Francis taught that all his friars' needs should be met solely from daily contributions. It was Clare's greatest desire that her community also practise radical poverty. This remarkable charism has continued to be a challenge for both orders.</p>
<p>For 40 years Clare was abbess and never wavered from caring for her community or from assisting Francis. Greatly revered and respected as a "new leader of women," she received papal approval for her own Rule the day before she died - the first rule for religious life written by a woman for women. She was credited with many miracles and was canonized just two years after her death.<br /></p>
<p>©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.</p>
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