St. Clare occupies a space on par with St. Francis in many of our minds. Although Clare saw herself and her sisters as followers of St. Francis’ examples, the reality of being a woman in the 13th century led her to nurture Franciscan spirituality in different ways than it did with the friars. For us today, she gives us a deeper and richer understanding of the Franciscan charism.

Here is a blessing from St. Clare’s second letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague:

What you hold may you always hold.
What you do, may you always do and never abandon.
But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet,
so that even your steps stir up no dust,
Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you.