Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare

by Margaret Carney

For centuries St. Clare of Assisi has been a lesser-known saint simply because she was overshadowed by the giant that is St. Francis. This biography not only tells the story of their intertwined lives, but more importantly highlights the extraordinary contributions Clare made to the Franciscan world following Francis’s death. This book is her story from birth until death in 1253. Sr. Margaret Carney captures who this medieval woman was and interprets it in a way modern readers will understand. It provides answers to all the questions about why we knew so little about St. Clare but have overflowing information about St. Francis. Clare offers readers two valuable lessons; firstly, the significant importance that women—and particularly this extraordinary woman—played in the Franciscan story. Secondly, it is that Clare’s importance stems from the fact that she, the recipient of a gift from the Spirit of the Lord, had her own charisma that made her special. She is in fact one of the most remarkable and influential saints from medieval Christianity. European experts in early Franciscan history have tirelessly worked on the preservation and at extending our knowledge of Saint Clare of Assisi. Yet it wasn’t until the last 50 years that the English-speaking world became familiar with her because the materials just were not readily available. Thankfully, a number of biographical studies and related documents, translations of her writings, and the clearer understanding of poetry, art, music, and theatrical offerings at the time she was alive paint a more accurate picture and enrich the story of this fascinating and influential woman.

Genres: Religion, Biography, Nonfiction, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[Vincent Pham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assisi is a “magical” place. Not “magical” in a fairy-tale sense, but in the town, you can find a sense of sanctity in every corner. The famous St. Francis of Assisi is buried in the grand Basilica of St. Francis, near the Sacro Convento. However, often paired with Francis is what some might call his sidekick – St. Clare of Assisi – now, ‘sidekick’ not in the Marvel superhero sense but in the sense how the two complemented each other in their missionary zeal. Reading Margaret Carney’s account of the life of St. Clare in her book Light of Assisi – The Story of Saint Clare really puts that into perspective: two medieval figures who transformed the course of Christian history, whose spirituality complemented each other in their road to holiness.

Here is the thing that I was a bit confused upon an initial reading of the book – Carney flip-flops between the story of St. Clare and St. Francis. It may get confusing at times as she speaks of the life of both figures in the various chapters. Strangely enough, there is a chapter dedicated to the ‘Death of Francis.’ Now, this is not a low point of the book, but this points to the reality that, in order to understand the story of Clare, you must know of the story of St. Francis. The “Poor Clares'” spirituality is very much influenced by the Franciscans. Yet, even so, Clare is “original” in her own sense and the book in various aspects intertwines these two figures’ similar but complementing spirituality.

One thing that really stood out for me in the book were church “politics” of the time that in a sense, gave Clare and members of her order some difficulty and tensions in living their religious life. This is understandable because the Franciscan Spirituality – in which Clare’s religious order was very much influenced by – was something new in the church and hence, received mixed “reviews” so to say, from many ends of church authorities. It seemed that even Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Movement faced difficulties in establish his religious order too. Understanding this gives one a respect not only towards the spiritual life of Francis and Clare, but the resilience and perseverence that these figures had.

Moreover, the connection, and strong friendship that Clare had with Francis was very much a key image I was able to paint in my mind while reading Light of Assisi. I had the perception prior to reading this title that Francis and Clare were merely two saints who knew each other in life and whose spirituality rubbed-off on one another. However, it seems that their relationship was more than just “knowing” each other, bumping into each other from time to time, but a genuine friendship that help them become “original” saints, the Francis and Clare that were able to breathe into the Church a new life. To really see how evident each other’s influence was, we must look to the death of Francis and its impact on Clare who lived another 27 years after the death of Francis. Even though her spiritual brother Francis was no longer present in the flesh, she continued to carry his legacy among the Poor Clare Sisters and among the Christian Community of Assisi. She, in a sense believed that Francis was journeying with her spiritually, interceding for her and members of the order. This fact is implicitly painted in the second half of the book as we read of the Clare’s work post-Francis’ death. It was during this era that her religious order was brought to formality with the Church after many up and down moments. Yet, one thing is clear – even in the ups and downs of life, she fixed her gaze on God, and God alone. This very core of her ministry was evident up until her death.

I have never really been a history-buff. The years and settings seem to all get “mushed” together when reading history books and sometimes the case when reading biographies. However, I found Carney’s very clear layout, headings and subheadings made the book easy to follow along and reader-friendly. This book, as one would expect, would give one much more than you would read in a “Lives of the Saints” entry. This book is for one who wants to really journey with St. Clare of Assisi and get a better understanding of who she is. The medieval religious woman was not merely a close follower of St. Francis of Assisi, but was a friend, a companion of Francis, a two-way spiritual relationship. It is a story of true fraternity, a striving towards holiness and renewal within the medieval Church. And on top of that, if you travel to Assisi, you will really get to know why it is such as “magical” place spiritually because it is this medieval town that these two giants of Assisi – Clare and Francis – met, lived, and renewed the Church.

[Amy Moritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a Franciscan Media email list which is how I found out about this book. Truth be told, I usually don't open these emails, but something clearly caught my eye in the subject line. When I saw that it was book about St. Clare written by former Bona president Sr. Margaret Carney, I immediately ordered it! I love Sr. Margaret -- and especially her support of women's basketball and her generous comments about my coverage of that program during a run of WNIT and NCAA berths.

On to St. Clare.

What I love about this work is how accessible it is. I don't have intimate knowledge of the Franciscan Rule or many theological topics. So this work didn't make me feel dumb.

I also loved how Sr. Margaret uses our modern-day lens to look at Clare and Francis -- and how she explains the limitations of that lens when examining life and times so different than ours. Her exploration of Clare's fasting for instance put the practice in a new light for me. Also, I felt she asked a lot of questions -- one that didn't have answers but that allowed you to see a fuller picture, a fuller life. It also made me wish that women were more vocal, active, celebrated, had work preserved in centuries past. Because women will come to research (or writing, or theology, or history, or biography) with different questions, different frames, which are lost when it's only white men doing the work.

Perhaps the only criticism I have is that I wanted MORE!

And perhaps my favorite passage comes near the end of the book when she is describing the current state of visitors to Clare's basilica:

"Nearby is a museum display that holds memorabilia of importance ... If truth be told, many a pilgrim brushes past the documents and clothing in order to catch a glimpse of a glass vase containing her golden curls. It is a badge of our common humanity that the evidence of papal connections and holy devotions interest us less than the sight of her feminine adornment, her lovely hair covered for decades by a nun's veil."

[Gina Ulicny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 let me first say, that Vincent’s review is insightful and accurate.
I enjoyed most of this read, getting to know Saint Clare and even Saint Francis. However, some of it read a little bit more textbook-ish than I prefer.
We do see the relationship of Saint Clair and Saint Francis shining through, the inspiration he was to her, and thus her order, the support that she was to him and his order… And the vice versa of that. Their friendship comes across as the closest of brother and sister relationships… Possibly more… But their love for each other was only outshone by their individual love for our Lord and Savior.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written introduction to St. Clare. This is the first book i've read on Clare so far, and as the author states, there is more known about Clare than Francis. i was hoping for even more from her own personal writings, but this was a great overarching view which pointed the way to some other sources to foll0w-up on. The author does a good job of bringing life to what could also be some otherwise dull topics. She able to paint a more vibrant picture with her words.

[Baylor Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Saint Claire, the overshadowed contemporary of Saint Francis of Assisi. The tone of story telling was somewhat dry, but as far as information goes, this was helpful in learning who Claire was and the shape her life took.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look at the history surrounding Clare and Francis and the events in Clare's life. Not much on her spirituality, I feel like I better understand what she did but not who she was.

[Joshua Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great biography of St. Clare that not only tells her story but encourages reflection for the readers on the charism of St. Clare and St. Francis.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good outline of the life of Claire, her relationship with Francis and the start of her order.

[Andrea Lucero-watje · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history itself is fascinating, but the handwriting is a bit on the dry side. I’d love to do more research on this intriguing Saint.

[Rachel Tilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A bit dry, but appreciated learning more about Saint Clare. An admirable woman for sure.

[Gerri Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, I feel I have more knowledge about St. Clare the person and not just St. Clare the saint. I appreciate the way this book steers clear of hagiography. I gained a good understanding of St. Clare's life and times and why she is such a revered saint. (One of my favorites.)

[MaryAlice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Santa Chiara is told succinctly and carefully here. Wherever documents exist, they are cited. The tale is short because not enough remains that can more fully detail the life of this amazing woman. Told in carefully constructed chapters of the significant events in their life, this book weaves the fabric of her life una readily accessible manner.

That said, I listened to the audiobook, published by the Franciscans. The narrator has a calm and pleasant voice. However, she is in desperate need of a producer who knows and understands pronunciation of Latin and, also, understands where to put the emphasis in a sentence. I found myself rewinding because I didn’t quite understand something only to discover, on closer listening, that the narrator had emphasized a part of the sentence that was not the focus. Further, she didn’t seem to know how to pronounce a few English words. The word ‘itinerant’, for example. While this are minor issues individually, as a whole, they effect listening pleasure. Again, though, the narrators voice is lovely and soothing, the perfect voice to share Chiara’s story. She just needs a better producer.

[Sibylle Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

My reason for giving this book only three stars is that I wanted MORE! The book talks a lot about Franciscan rule and how Clare established her own rules, but I wanted more accounts of Clare’s personal life! What ARE her prayers, what is her poetry, how did she interact with her sisters? All of these questions were burning on my heart and I feel like they were only answered on the surface! I expected this book to be more like the “story of a soul” by Terese! Nevertheless I learned a lot and got a new perspective on the beautiful friendship between Clare and Francis!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short little biography of St. Clare. With its brevity and scholarly nature, you still don't get much feel for the personality of so fascinating a woman, but it's an easy introduction to this important companion of St. Francis.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about Saint Clare & Saint Francis and how their lives intertwined. Great models of empowering friendship. Quick audiobook.

[Haleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great biography, I did not know a lot about Saint Clare before reading this book.