Clare of Assisi: A Heart Full of Love

by Ilia Delio

Although this is a small book on the spirituality of a medieval woman from a glorious past, it is also a book about Christian life today. Clare's decisive emphasis on the person of Jesus Christ is an emphasis on the human person as well, what we are and what we are called to be. —From the Introduction

Clare of A Heart Full of Love explores Clare's deep desire to live the gospel life, more precisely, her desire for all of us to reflect on Christ and his crucifixion in order to see our own strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, our capacity to love. Ilia Delio illustrates how Clare, through her life, her writings, letters, prayer and example, is truly a mystic who helped generations of Catholics clearly see how Christ took on human flesh, not just to suffer and die for us, but to help us all in turn reflect back the face of Christ to the world.

Clare was not simply a follower of Francis, she was a formidable, resolute, devout and loving saint whose life centered on this essence of human identity—Christ is in each of us—and who sought to teach us to just be ourselves and to let God dwell within us. In Clare of A Heart Full of Love , Ilia Delio shows us just how Clare's simple, but powerful beliefs transformed the way we all think about Christ—even today.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Catholic

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2007

About the author

Ilia Delio, OSF is a Franciscan Sister of Washington, D.C. and American theologian specializing in the area of science and religion, with interests in evolution, physics and neuroscience and the importance of these for theology. She was born in Newark, New Jersey and is the youngest of four children.


Fordham University
Ph.D., Historical Theology
M.A. Historical Theology

Rutgers University Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences
Ph. D., Pharmacology

Seton Hall University
M.S., Biology

DeSales University
B.S., Biology

Reviews

[Abigail Dankoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Contemplation, inflamed by love, is the basis of costly discipleship. For if we really see the depths of God revealed in persons or creatures who otherwise might be discarded, rejected or annihilated then we must act...We many be rejected, imprisoned, excluded from community, ostracized by the church, but if we truly see then we must truly love.”

[Jane Tennyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long

This was an inter explanation about Franciscan spirituality, but not nearly what I was expecting. It said it was based on Claire's letters to Agnes and would have been much better if those letters had been included.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is maybe 1/3 about St Clare, and some of that is speculation. This is an interesting and deep theology, but I never got over it not being what I expected.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

After visiting Assisi, I was excited by the Franciscan spirit that permeated his home and continues to inspire the order and lay people alike. Clare was an intimate follower and counterpart to St. Francis. Her vision of the "mirror" of the cross, the crucified Christ, was my first introduction to any kind of mysticism. It is radical and challenging, but the eucharistic life she speaks of is so good. There is power in the faith in a living presence of God, who invites and shares and relates through every living being.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into spreading God's light

This was a good and thoughtful read. It gave great insight into St. Clare's spirituality and her way of contemplation to transform ourselves into working reflections of God's love. The book has questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection but would also be good for a group/book club discussion.

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

CLARE OF ASSISI is an enlightening look at the life, beliefs, spirituality and teachings of St. Clare and St. Francis with Delio's emphasis on Franciscan theology and culture relating to Christian life today.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good book on spirituality. My issue is that the title is very misleading. I was expecting a book about St Clare. That is not what this is; this is a book on spirituality, somewhat on the spirituality of St Clare, but mostly about St Francis and St Bonaventure.

[Cynthia]

No

[Amy Moritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I went to St. Bonaventure, I didn't know much about Francis and Clare or what it meant to be Franciscan. I didn't necessarily learn a lot in the classroom about them either, but I learned a lot about what it meant to live a Franciscan life and I knew the minute I stepped on campus, that while I didn't know it or have the name for it at the time, that I was in my heart always a Franciscan.

With a desire for more book learnin' on the subject, I asked Fr. Dan Horan (he'd hate that I used "Father" but I still find it weird to call him Dan.) for suggestions on good reads on Clare and Francis. This was on his list. And so begins my introduction to Clare of Assisi.

My one criticism of the book is that it assumes some prior knowledge. Which may be more a criticism of my own lack of knowledge. Anyway, I didn't know that the Pope wanted to keep all religious women cloistered and that Clare had a few battles because the way she wanted to LIVE looked little like being sequestered away. She ended up making a deal, doing the best she could with the circumstances she was presented. Perhaps that was part of her own cross to bear.

(Aside: anyone with suggestions on books about the relationship between Clare and Francis please shoot them my way. Because I'm missing a big piece of their backstory.)

But this was so excellent in discussing Franciscan spirituality through the lens of Clare, rounded out with works of Francis and Bonaventure. I was particularly interested by the section on poverty and the emphasis on spiritual poverty. Sure, not being attached to stuff is key to growing into a deep spiritual relationship, but as I understand it here, the concept of poverty is very much about your attitude of knowing that you can do nothing alone, accepting help from both God and man.

"Poverty is not so much about want or need; it is about relationship. Poverty impels us to reflect on our lives in the world from the position of weakness, dependency and vulnerability. It impels us to empty our pockets -- not of money -- but the pockets of our hearts, minds and wills -- those places where we store up things for ourselves and isolate ourselves from real relationship with others."

What also strikes me about this book is the combination of being totally poor in God (needing help) and this distinct importance on being yourself. BE YOURSELF. That seems to be the truest way to honor the life God gave you, and seems to be the truest expression of being in relationship with God.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clare's spirituality is fierce and unapologetic. Her movement toward God is "light and swift, indicating the life in God is not to be deterred by earthly matters." I was blown away by her concept of simultaneous relationship with all persons of the Trinity , as well as her insistence that poverty means to be dependent on others, for when we are, it allows God's goodness to shine through them. How different from my stubborn necessity for independence and control! This brilliant Saint challenges us to become *coworkers* with God, until God's presence in others is so powerful to us that "our reverence for ALL people becomes i n s t i n c t i v e."

[Saffron Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after I had read Franciscan prayer.
I wish I had read this first as it really explains it better.
It was nice to finally start to understand Clare's writing to Agnes, about her method of prayer and contemplation. Basically gazing on Christ, considering him, contemplating Christ, imitating (or becoming) Christ. Which still to me being out in the real world all the time, this seems very difficult if not impossible but I would like to so maybe I will get there one day...

[Jim Milway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for the story of Clare's life. This isn't it. It's a reflection of her writings. This is something through which to meditate rather than simply read. Interesting take on the Trinity - love flowing between each of the three Persons. Poverty isn't simply a lack of material things. And mediating on a crucifix is like looking in a mirror. Obviously I haven't done justice to her reflections - but perhaps enough to interest you to give it a read.

[Jan Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Opens your eyes to living a simple life inspired by the gifts we have received from God. Looks at how St. Francis and Clare of Assisi embraced contemplation as a way to live the life of Christ.