Saints Francis and Clare Forma Vitae
This image depicts proceeds from a gobelino tapestry which captures a pivotal historical moment between Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare of Assisi. Both figures are adorned with simple, circular halos symbolizing their sanctity.On the left, Saint Francis stands tall, dressed in his traditional coarse brown Franciscan habit tied with a white cord representing his vows.
He looks upward with a serene, faithful gaze as he unrolls a long, white parchment scroll. Prominently written across the scroll in a medieval Gothic script are the Latin words "Forma Vitæ" (Form of Life).
On the right, Saint Clare is shown kneeling on the ground in humble reverence. She wears a dark brown habit, a white wimple, and a black veil characteristic of her monastic dedication. One of her hands is raised in a gesture of reception or blessing, while her other hand gently touches the edge of the scroll being presented to her by Saint Francis.
The background is a soft, mottled neutral tone that directs all focus toward the spiritual exchange between the two co-founders of the Franciscan tradition. Continue reading after advertisement
The Historical Episode: The Forma VitæThe scene illustrates a profound moment in early Franciscan history during the years 1211 and 1212.
Inspired by the radical gospel preaching of Saint Francis, Saint Clare famously fled her wealthy, aristocratic family on Palm Sunday to embrace a life of absolute poverty and evangelical perfection. Seeking to establish a community of women who could share in this new spiritual path, she sought guidance from Francis. Continue reading after advertisement
Because the established monastic rules of the era required women to own land and assets for communal survival, Francis penned a short, radical guide specifically for Clare and her growing sisterhood at San Damiano. Continue reading after advertisement
This original document, known as the Forma Vitæ (Form of Life), served as the foundational spiritual blueprint for what would eventually become the Second Franciscan Order, popularly known today as the Poor Clares. Written before any formal papal rule was approved for them, the brief text outlined their shared commitment to live according to the Holy Gospel, maintaining absolute, radical poverty without owning property or possessions. Continue reading after advertisement
In the document, Francis also promised that he and his friars would maintain a lifelong, diligent care and spiritual companionship with the sisters.This historical episode beautifully demonstrates the unique spiritual partnership between Francis and Clare. While Francis provided the initial Forma Vitæ, it was Clare who fiercely spent the rest of her life defending its core vision of radical poverty against church authorities who wished to impose more standard, wealthy monastic rules upon her convent. Continue reading after advertisement
Decades later, her steadfastness culminated in her becoming the very first woman in Church history to write an officially approved monastic rule for women, ensuring the preservation of the gospel life first promised on that early scroll.
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