Newsletter BOX: Saint of the Day - 2013 St. Clare Feast Day

Sunday, August 11, 2013

2013 St. Anthony Feast – A Message from Fr. Dan

Today we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Clare (1193-1253), a saint who was a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi and deeply committed to living the example set by him. She was the foundress of a religious order of women, known today as the Poor Clares, and the first woman in church history to write a rule, or set of guiding principles, for a religious order. She was strong-willed, stubborn and, above all, determined to live the gospel by following Jesus Christ, the rule of Francis and the Church.

Clare, like Francis, was born into a life of privilege, the eldest daughter of one of Assisi's richest families. But as a young girl, she often witnessed the poor of Assisi begging at the door of her family's home. She grew to feel a strong compassion for the poor and easily saw the connection between them and the embrace of poverty espoused in Christ's teachings. Clare's life was one of humility, self-denial and total dedication to following Christ.

St. Clare's importance to the Franciscan charism inspires us here at Franciscan Media. So much so that following her example is part of our company's mission statement. Are you interested in finding out more about Clare? We offer Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love by Illia Delio, O.S.F. and St. Clare: A Short Biography by Joan Mueller. Inspire someone by sending a St. Clare e-card at CatholicGreetings.org.

Our digital ministry has many forms. Because of your generosity we offer a first-rate website, AmericanCatholic.org. We have an active social media presence through our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube pages. Our book titles are now available in e-book form, many as audiobooks. In March, St. Anthony Messenger magazine became available in digital format, joining Liberty + Vine.

Please help us continue the work of evangelization in the spirit of St. Clare. Would you consider donating $50, $75 or $100 or more? Your tax-deductible donation in any amount helps us pay the costs of touching thousands each day with the Good News of the Gospel.

Use our secure online donation form or mail a donation payable to the Franciscans, Franciscan Media, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer, you may phone in a credit-card donation for our evangelization ministries at 513-241-5615 or, in the U.S., 800-488-0488.
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Peace and every blessing,
Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M.
Publisher, Franciscan Media