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The Catholic Defender: The Feast of St. Clare



















Patron Saints are Heavens role modals that advocates for places, professions, and people. In the case of St. Clare, In 1958, Pope Pius XII designates St. Clare as the patron of Television. When St. Clare became too ill to attend Mass, she longed for the Lord. As she grew older in time, she became too ill to attend Mass. It is recorded that at the height of her longing, the images, sounds of the entire Mass appeared covering the wall in her cell (room). With the invention of the television, Pope Pius XII recognized the power and opportunity this had for mankind. The Pope stated, “is a wonderful instrument… which can be the source of very great wealth, but also of deep troubles.


We should remember why Pope Pius XII made St. Clare the Patron Saint of Television and Computer screens because these things should be used for the holy purpose. Unfortunately, so much of it is not. St. Clare of Assisi is an early follower of St. Francis, Clare founded The Order of Poor Ladies, which eventually became known as the Poor Clares.

St. Clare is most known for a Eucharistic Miracle the Lord used to save the people of Assisi. This Eucharistic Miracle is cited in The History of Saint Clare, Virgin written by Tommaso da Celano, and describes how Saint Clare of Assisi succeeded, with the Blessed Sacrament, in turning away Saracen troops in the pay of Emperor Frederick II of Sweden.


The Towns people surrounding the convent where St. Clare lived were fleeing the countryside fearing the worst for their lives. As the Soldiers came upon the walls of the city, they placed ladders against the walls.


“By imperial order, regiments of Saracen soldiers and bowmen were stationed there (the convent of San Damiano in Assisi, Italy), massed like bees, ready to devastate the encampments and seize the cities.


Once, during an enemy attack against Assisi, city beloved of the Lord, and while the army was approaching the gates, the fierce Saracens invaded San Damiano, entered the confines of the monastery and even the very cloister of the virgins.

The women swooned in terror, their voices trembling with fear as they cried to their Mother, Saint Clare. Saint Clare, with a fearless heart, commanded them to lead her, sick as she was, to the enemy, preceded by a silver and ivory case in which the Body of the Saint of saints was kept with great devotion. And prostrating herself before the Lord, she spoke tearfully to her Christ: ‘Behold, my Lord, is it possible You want to deliver into the hands of pagans Your defenseless handmaids, whom I have taught out of love for You? I pray You, Lord, protect these Your handmaids whom I cannot now save by myself.’


Suddenly a voice like that of a child resounded in her ears from the tabernacle: ‘I will always protect you!’ ‘My Lord,’ she added, ‘if it is Your wish, protect also this city which is sustained by Your love.’ Christ replied, ‘It will have to undergo trials, but it will be defended by My protection.’ Then the virgin, raising a face bathed in tears, comforted the sisters: ‘I assure you, daughters, that you will suffer no evil; only have faith in Christ.’

As the Soldiers were climbing up the ladders with crowbars, axes, bow, and spears, the town appeared lost. Then Jesus in the Host illuminated brightly before the Soldiers. The Host became dazzling white blinding the attackers.

Due to a sudden panic, the Soldiers subsequently fled in terror. This Miracle we should let Jesus transfigure our hearts so that our hearts will beat a little faster when we receive our Lord in the Eucharist.


Upon seeing the courage of the sisters, the Saracens took flight and fled back over the walls they had scaled, unnerved by the strength of she who prayed. And Clare immediately admonished those who heard the voice I spoke of above, telling them severely: ‘Take care not to tell anyone about that voice while I am still alive, dearest daughters.’”


St. Clare's Feast Day is 11 August


O Blessed Saint Clare, your life shines like a beacon and cast its light down the ages of the Church to guide the way of Christ. Look with compassion on the poor and humble who call on you for help. As you bow before your Eucharistic Lord in Heaven, speak to Him of my afflicted body and my broken spirit. Ask Him to heal me and to wash away my sins in His precious Blood. Great Servant of Christ, remember the needs of my family and all those I pray for. Defend us from everything that would threaten our Holy Catholic faith. Hear the cry of the poor and make it a song of intercession, rising from your poor heart to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, our Healer, our Savior, and our Lord. Amen.














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