St Clare
Originally uploaded by Lawrence OP
O marvelous humility
O astonishing poverty
The King of angels
The Lord of heaven and earth
is laid in a manger.
The above was written by Saint Claire of Assisi in a letter to Agnes of Prague.
Saint Claire is also spelled Clare and her life was fascinating; she lived from July 16, 1194 to August 11, 1253.
Her father was a count and her mother very religious, and her father wanted her to be married at age 15. She postponed marriage to age 18 when she met Saint Francis of Assisi, and Claire became his first female follower.
Following her death the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare, today often called the Poor Clares.
Her words (above) are perfect for this Christmas season as we await the birth of the King of Angels.
