Clare Ortulana Agnes of Assisi
What is written about any medieval woman is scant and even Clare's story is told much in the shadow of Francis. Her sister Catherine, of whom even less is known, is similarly overshadowed by Saint Agnes of Prague, both “soul sisters” to Clare.
Catherine was born in 1197 the middle daughter to Count Favarone and Countess Ortolana di Offreduccio. She was baptized at the diocesan font in the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. She was three years younger than Clare.
Offreduccios were a noble family with seven knights in the household. The uncle, Monaldo, one of five including Clare's father, was the leader, considering that medieval children grew up in a culture of power structures, dominance, and control.
Catherine remained with Clare almost the remainder of her adult life at San Damiano, though sometimes leaving for year-long stays to establish other convents of Poor Ladies. This separation gives footing to the woman saint she becomes developing into her own holiness.
Both sisters spent much of their time together even hearing "Francis preach, and they wanted to imitate his example of living a simple life of service. When they told their father that they wanted to live like Francis, he said he would never allow it to happen. (Nonetheless,) they were sure that God was calling them to a new life, exchanging their jeweled belts for knotted ropes." After Easter, at the early age of fifteen, barely two weeks after Clare departed from her family home and through the fruitfulness of Clare's ardent prayers, Catherine follows.
Catherine meets up with Clare residing with a group of Beguinage women at Santo Angelo in Panzo. She joined her sister having resolved to share their secret longing to live a life of poverty and penance.
"The next day, hearing that (Catherine) had gone off to Clare, twelve men, burning with anger and hiding outwardly their evil intent, ran to the place (and) pretended (to make) a peaceful entrance." Uncle Monaldo, angry at the loss and embarrassment of his brother's two daughters not so much for entering religious life but without dowries, drew his sword to strike his niece, but his arm allegedly withered useless.
The other men dragged Catherine out of the Beguinage by her hair, but her body reportedly became so heavy and strong as her commitment that her assailants were forced to drop her in a nearby field. Their relatives, purportedly realizing that something divine protected Catherine, allowed the two sisters to remain. "After they departed with a bitter spirit… (Catherine) got up joyfully and, already rejoicing in the cross of Christ for which she had struggled in this first battle, gave herself perpetually to the divine service."
Escaping the unsuccessful family rescue, Francis moved the two sisters to the rudimentary space of San Damiano that he had repaired by September of 1212. Francis prophesized about this sacred space made holy by the women living within, "…through whose fame and life our heavenly Father will be glorified throughout the church."
Read Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF full article here
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