Clare of Rimini
Encyclopedia
Blessed Clare of Rimini, born as Chiara Agolanti, was born at Rimini
in 1282 and died there on February 10, 1346. She was deprived at an early age of the support and guidance of her parents and, later, of her pious husband. She soon fell a prey to the dangers to which her youth and beauty exposed her, and began to lead a life of sinful dissipation.
One day when she was attending Mass
in the church of the Franciscan
Friars, she seemed to hear a mysterious voice that bade her say an Our Father and a Hail Mary
at least once with fervour and attention. Clare obeyed the command, not knowing from where it came, and then began to reflect upon her life.
She made the decision to enter into the Third Order of St. Francis
, resolving to expiate her sins by a life of penance. She soon became a model of every virtue, but more especially of charity towards the destitute and afflicted. When the Poor Clares were compelled to leave Regno on account of the prevailing wars, it was mainly through the exertions of Clare that they were able to obtain a convent and means of sustenance at Rimini
.
Later, Clare herself entered the order of Poor Clares, along with several other pious women, and became superioress of the convent of Our Lady of the Angels at Rimini. She worked numerous miracles and towards the close of her life was favored in an extraordinary manner with the gift of contemplation. Her body now reposes in the cathedral of Rimini.
In 1782 the cult of Blessed Clare was approved by Pope Pius VI
, who permitted her feast to be celebrated in the city and Diocese of Rimini on February 10.
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
in 1282 and died there on February 10, 1346. She was deprived at an early age of the support and guidance of her parents and, later, of her pious husband. She soon fell a prey to the dangers to which her youth and beauty exposed her, and began to lead a life of sinful dissipation.
One day when she was attending Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
in the church of the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Friars, she seemed to hear a mysterious voice that bade her say an Our Father and a Hail Mary
Hail Mary
The Angelic Salutation, Hail Mary, or Ave Maria is a traditional biblical Catholic prayer asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Hail Mary is used within the Catholic Church, and it forms the basis of the Rosary...
at least once with fervour and attention. Clare obeyed the command, not knowing from where it came, and then began to reflect upon her life.
She made the decision to enter into the Third Order of St. Francis
Third Order of St. Francis
The Third Order of St. Francis is a third order within the Franciscan movement of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes both congregations of vowed men and women and fraternities of men and women living standard lives in the world, usually married...
, resolving to expiate her sins by a life of penance. She soon became a model of every virtue, but more especially of charity towards the destitute and afflicted. When the Poor Clares were compelled to leave Regno on account of the prevailing wars, it was mainly through the exertions of Clare that they were able to obtain a convent and means of sustenance at Rimini
Rimini
Rimini is a medium-sized city of 142,579 inhabitants in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and capital city of the Province of Rimini. It is located on the Adriatic Sea, on the coast between the rivers Marecchia and Ausa...
.
Later, Clare herself entered the order of Poor Clares, along with several other pious women, and became superioress of the convent of Our Lady of the Angels at Rimini. She worked numerous miracles and towards the close of her life was favored in an extraordinary manner with the gift of contemplation. Her body now reposes in the cathedral of Rimini.
In 1782 the cult of Blessed Clare was approved by Pope Pius VI
Pope Pius VI
Pope Pius VI , born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, was Pope from 1775 to 1799.-Early years:Braschi was born in Cesena...
, who permitted her feast to be celebrated in the city and Diocese of Rimini on February 10.