Franciscan Saints: Clare and Anthony
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St Clare of Assisi (1194–1253)
Clare, a young noblewoman of Assisi, was converted by Francis's preaching. On Palm Sunday night in 1212 she left her family and, at the Portiuncula, offered her hair into Francis's hands. At San Damiano she founded the community of the "Poor Ladies" and lived there for more than forty years.
She wrote the first religious Rule ever composed by a woman, and it was approved by the Pope in 1253, just two days before she died. All her life she fought for the "Privilege of Poverty" — the right to own nothing at all. Because tradition says that, sick in bed, she saw the Christmas Mass projected on her wall, she was named patron of television in 1958. Feast day: 11 August.
St Anthony of Padua (1195–1231)
Born Fernando in Lisbon, Portugal, he was deeply moved by the bodies of five Franciscan friars martyred in Morocco. He joined the Franciscans and took the name Anthony. Seeing his deep knowledge of Scripture, Francis wrote him a letter permitting him to teach theology to the brothers — "provided that you do not extinguish the spirit of prayer."
He preached in Italy and France and died near Padua aged just thirty-six. He was canonised within a year and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946. He is one of the most beloved saints in India, and Tuesday novenas in his honour fill our parishes. Feast day: 13 June.
"Let actions speak, and words be silent."
— from the sermons of St Anthony (adapted)
"Place your mind before the mirror of eternity."
— Clare, letter to Agnes of Prague (adapted)
