Clare Ortulana Agnes of Assisi
One of the least documented areas of early Franciscan history concerns the family of Saint Clare of Assisi. Medieval sources about women are often limited, and even Clare’s own story is frequently told in the shadow of Saint Francis of Assisi. Her younger sister Catherine—who would later receive the religious name Saint Agnes of Assisi—is even less well documented. In later Franciscan memory she is sometimes overshadowed by another great friend of Clare, Agnes of Prague, who is often described as Clare’s “soul sister.”
Catherine was born around 1197, the middle daughter of Count Favarone and Countess Ortolana of the noble Offreduccio family of Assisi. She was baptized at the diocesan font in the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, and was about three years younger than Clare. The Offreduccio household belonged to the local nobility and included several knights among its members. Like many noble families of medieval Italy, it was large and strongly structured around family authority, with relatives such as their uncle Monaldo playing prominent roles in household leadership. Continue reading after advertisement
From a young age Catherine was very close to her sister Clare. The two heard Francis preach and were deeply moved by his call to evangelical poverty. Inspired by his example, they began to desire a life of simplicity and service to God. When they expressed this wish to their family, their father strongly opposed the idea. Yet the sisters were convinced that God was calling them to a different path—one that meant exchanging their jeweled belts for the knotted cord of a life dedicated to poverty.
Shortly after Easter of 1212, only about two weeks after Clare secretly left the family home to follow her vocation, the fifteen-year-old Catherine resolved to do the same. She found her sister staying with a small group of devout women at Sant’Angelo in Panzo, and there she joined Clare, determined to share in the same life of poverty and penance. Continue reading after advertisement
According to early Franciscan accounts, the family reacted with anger when they learned what had happened. A group of relatives, including their uncle Monaldo, arrived at the house intending to bring Catherine home by force. One story recounts that Monaldo even drew his sword to strike her, but his arm suddenly became powerless. The men then tried to drag Catherine away by her hair, yet her body became so heavy that they were unable to move her and were forced to abandon the attempt. Interpreting the event as a sign of divine protection, the family ultimately relented and allowed the sisters to remain. Continue reading after advertisement
Soon afterward, Francis gave Catherine the religious name Agnes, evoking the image of the faithful lamb of Christ. With Clare she began the life that would shape the new community of women inspired by Franciscan poverty.
After the failed attempt to retrieve Catherine, Francis transferred the two sisters to the small and humble church of San Damiano, which he had restored earlier. By September of 1212 this simple place had become the center of their new religious life. Francis himself is said to have foretold the importance of the monastery, declaring that through the fame and holy lives of the women who would live there, the heavenly Father would be glorified throughout the Church.
Read Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF full article here
This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.
Comments
Post a Comment