Officially known as the Order of Saint Clare, the Poor Clares were originally known as the Order of Poor Ladies, then the Clarisses, the Minoresses, the Franciscan Clarist Order, and the Second Order of Saint Francis. The Poor Clares are members of a contemplative Order of Catholic nuns, and the second Franciscan Order to be established. Founded by Francis of Assisi and Clare of Assisi in 1212, the Order was organized after the Order of Friars Minor, the First Order, and before the Third Order of Saint Francis. The Poor Clares follow the Rule of Saint Clare, which was approved by Pope Innocent IV the day before Clare’s death in 1253. The main branch of the Order (Order of Saint Clare) follows the observance of Pope Urban, while branches that were established later, and operate under their own Constitutions, include the Colettine Poor Clares, the Capuchin Poor Clares, and the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, founded in 1410, 1538, and 1854 respectively. The Colettine Poor Clares came about when Saint Colette of Corbie restored the primitive rule of strict poverty to seventeen French monasteries, and her followers became the Colettine Poor Clares. Two other branches, the Capuchin Poor Clares and the Alcantarines, also followed the strict observance, although the latter group has since disappeared as a distinct group. The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration were founded by Mother Angelica, who also founded the Eternal Word Television Network, and was a well known television personality, as well as the patron saint of television. Members of the Poor Clare generally live in one monastery for their entire life, once accepted into the Order. They take solemn vows that can only be dispensed by Rome. Each Poor Clare community is autonomous. Not all Poor Clares dress alike, work alike, or keep to the same daily schedule. Poor Clares are in more than seventy countries, and there is no template for what a Poor Clare monastery should look like.
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Perpetual Adoration |
Recommended Resources
Capuchin Poor Clares, Federation of Our Lady of the Angels
Founded by Maria Laurentia Longo in 1538, members of the Capuchin Poor Clare are known a Capuchinesses, and is a sub-order of the Poor Clares, which was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1212. The Federation is an association of five monasteries in the United States, with locations in Amarillo, Texas; Wilmington, Delaware; Denver, Colorado; Pueblo, Colorado; and Alamo, Texas, each of which are highlighted here.
http://www.capuchinpoorclares.org/
The Monastery of Saint Clare in Spokane, Washington offers an introduction, profile and history of the Order of Saint Clare, including its federations and monasteries throughout the world, addresses for Poor Clare in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the work of the Order within the continent of North America. News and announcements of activities, events, issues and projects of the Order are posted to the site.
http://poorclare.org/
The Poor Clare Colettine Federation of Saint Mary of the Angels in Ireland and Scotland overseas monasteries in Galway, Dublin, Carlow, Cork, Ennis, Drumshanbo, and in Glasgow, Scotland, each of which is autonomous. General information about life in a Poor Clare monastery, as well as their mission and work, are put forth, along with a history of the Franciscan and Poor Clare movement, and an information to each of the monasteries within the Federation.
http://www.poor-clares.com/
Located on Nun's Island in Galway, Ireland, the enclosed contemplative community of Poor Clare sisters operate and reside in the monastery that has been on the island for centuries, having come from northern France in 1642. A history of the island monastery and of the Order that was founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 13th century are given. Testimonies of members of the Order are presented, along with photographs, video and documentation.
http://www.poorclares.ie/
Poor Clares: Contemplative Franciscan Women
Maintained for or by the Poor Clares in the Mother Maddelena Bentivoglio Federation and the Holy Name Federation, with monasteries in North America, the site features a profile and history of the Order of Poor Clare, from its founding as the Second Order of the Franciscan family, to its spread worldwide. An overview of the Holy Name Federation, uniting Poor Clare monasteries along the East Coast of the United States, and the Mother Bentivoglio Federation, with monasteries from coast to coast.
http://poorclaresosc.org/
