Her precepts exhibited a free spirit and a common- sense approach to community
living. The strict laws of enclosure and fasting were flexible and adaptable to the
circumstances of the sisters' lives; exceptions were allowed.
Clare's approach maintained a balance between prayer and work.
Unlike the rule written by Pope Innocent IV for the Poor Ladies,
which reflected a male, hierarchical approach, Clare's rule offered a
more feminine, relational model of community. The contrast between
Pope Innocent's rule and Clare's rule is evident.
As Carol Flinders observes: "He makes the sisters
sound like prisoners one minute and wanton temptresses the next....
He seems obsessed with maintaining a strong line of authority.
Clare's, in contrast, emanates joy and gratitude for the vocation itself
and deep respect for those who shared it with her."'
On August 9, 1253, two days before she died, Clare's rule received
papal approval.
Two years after her death, on August 12, 1255, Clare was canonized.
Clare was a woman who knew that God spoke through women.
Determined to follow her vision of religious life in spite of opposition,
she let nothing and no one dissuade her from passionate gospel
living.
A model for women under pressure to live up to others' expec-
tations, Clare challenges us to live by our own deep truth and to be
guided by our own inner wisdom, so that God's truth shines forth in
all our choices. God speaks, God lives, and God rejoices in women
everywhere, like Clare.
Independent women in the twenty-first century who are trying to
define their identity in a male-dominated society and Church can find
inspiration in Clare, who chartered a new course for women in reli-
gious life. She would understand the challenge women face today in
living as equals with men. In the end, Clare succeeded. So, too, will
tqday's women. Clare teaches them to listen to their inner wisdom,
the voice of truth in their own souls."
(Praying with Visionary Women by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
Clare's approach maintained a balance between prayer and work.
Unlike the rule written by Pope Innocent IV for the Poor Ladies,
which reflected a male, hierarchical approach, Clare's rule offered a
more feminine, relational model of community. The contrast between
Pope Innocent's rule and Clare's rule is evident.
As Carol Flinders observes: "He makes the sisters
sound like prisoners one minute and wanton temptresses the next....
He seems obsessed with maintaining a strong line of authority.
Clare's, in contrast, emanates joy and gratitude for the vocation itself
and deep respect for those who shared it with her."'
On August 9, 1253, two days before she died, Clare's rule received
papal approval.
Two years after her death, on August 12, 1255, Clare was canonized.
Clare was a woman who knew that God spoke through women.
Determined to follow her vision of religious life in spite of opposition,
she let nothing and no one dissuade her from passionate gospel
living.
A model for women under pressure to live up to others' expec-
tations, Clare challenges us to live by our own deep truth and to be
guided by our own inner wisdom, so that God's truth shines forth in
all our choices. God speaks, God lives, and God rejoices in women
everywhere, like Clare.
Independent women in the twenty-first century who are trying to
define their identity in a male-dominated society and Church can find
inspiration in Clare, who chartered a new course for women in reli-
gious life. She would understand the challenge women face today in
living as equals with men. In the end, Clare succeeded. So, too, will
tqday's women. Clare teaches them to listen to their inner wisdom,
the voice of truth in their own souls."
(Praying with Visionary Women by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP
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