Poor Ladies
Poor Ladies
Also known as the Poor Ladies, the Sisters of Saint Clare, and the Second Order of Saint Francis. Founded in 1212 at the convent of San Damiano, Assisi, Italy by Saint Clare of Assisi under the direction of Saint Francis of Assisi , who charged the community to live according to the gospel counsels. Following the example of Saint Clare , groups of women banded together in various cities, and Cardinal Ugolino, Bishop of Ostia (later Pope Gregory IX ), drew up a rule for them based on that of Saint Benedict. The privilege of absolute poverty for the community as well as for individuals of the order had been granted by Pope Innocent III at the request of the foundress. Pope Gregory IX also conferred this privilege in 1228 , though several convents accepted the permission of the pope to retain possessions; thus two observances arose among the followers of Saint Clare . Reference to the rule of Saint Francis instead of to that of Saint Benedict was inserted in the rule of the order under Pope Innocent IV. Pope Urban IV placed the society under a cardinal protector. The congregation spread throughout Europe, many convents holding property in the name of the community. Saint Colette carried on a reform within the order, emphasizing its original spirit of poverty; followers of her reform were known as Collettine sisters. The life is one of mortification, prayer, and meditation. Originally solely a contemplative order, in 1804 a change was made in its rule permitting the religious to take part in active work. The Order has houses in Italy , Corsica, Palestine , Prussia, Bavaria , Holland, Belgium , Ireland , England , France , Spain, Peru , Colombia , Ecuador , Bolivia , Argentina , Brazil , Mexico , Canada , and the United States. Poor Clares profiled at this site include
Agnes of Assisi
Agnes of Prague
Amata of Assisi
Antonia of Florence
Camilla Battista Varani
Catherine of Bologna
Clare of Assisi
Collette of Corbie
Cunegundis of Hungary
Eustochia Calafato
Helen Enselmini
Helen of Poland
Isabella of France
Louise of Savoy
Margaret of Lorraine
Margaret Colonna
Maria Angela Astorch
Maria Crucified Satellico
Philippa Mareria
Serafina Sforza
Veronica Giuliani
New Catholic Dictionary