St. Clare Joins The Franciscans

On Palm Sunday, March 18, 1212, a young noblewoman of Assisi, Clare di Favarone, attended Mass at the cathedral of San Rufio where she received her palm from the hand of the bishop himself. That night she left home secretly and went to the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels, the Portiuncula. There St. Francis himself witnessed her vows to live the Gospel life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. From that moment until her death she was a true Bride if the Poor Christ, the most faithful daughter of St. Francis.