Clare

Dates: 1193/1194 - 1253
Canonized 1255
Feast Day August 11

Known for: Founding the Poor Clares, a Franciscan order for women

Also known as: St. Clare of Assisi

About Clare: Clare's father was Count Favorino Scifi. At the age of 18, after turning down two marriage offers, Clare joined a Benedictine order. She became a follower of Saint Francis of Assisi, and with her sister, St. Agnes, she founded the Poor Ladies of San Damiano. Her mother and another sister joined them in the religious community later.

In 1215, Clare became abbess of the house at San Damiano. The women in the house lived on alms and focused on prayer and penitence. The order opened houses throughout Europe.

Clare worked for many years to have an austere "Primitive Rule" for the order approved by the Pope. She was notified of his approval of the Rule two days before her death in 1253.

Clare was canonized in 1255, only two years after her death. Her Feast Day became August 11.

Because she wrote of seeing a worship service for which she was not present, Clare was designated in 1958 by Pope Pius XII as the patron saint of television.