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Clara, or Clare

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Clare, John

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a saint of the Roman Catholic Church, was born at Assisi, Italy, 1193, of a noble family. She abandoned her home in 1212, and was received by Francis of Assisi, who cut off her hair, and replaced her fine clothing by a piece of sackcloth tied about her with a cord. Her parents strenuously resisted this step; but, under the guidance of Francis, she disobeyed them, and devoted herself to monastic life. She practiced unheard of austerities, mournful to read of as described by Butler (cited below). Clara was the founder of the Clarisses, or nuns of St. Clara (q. v). See Butler, Lives of Saints, August 12; Lewis, Bible, Missal, and Breviary, 1, 110.