The Poor Clares and the Third Order Francis of Assisi

st. clare received st. francis, josep benlliure

from on, new order grew new vocations. hearing francis preaching in church of san rufino in assisi in 1211, young noblewoman clare of assisi became touched message , realized calling. cousin rufino, male member of family in generation, attracted new order, joined. on night of palm sunday, march 28, 1212, clare clandestinely left family s palace. francis received @ porziuncola , thereby established order of poor ladies. order women, , gave clare religious habit, or garment, similar own, before lodging in nearby monastery of benedictine nuns until provide suitable retreat her, , younger sister, caterina, , other young women had joined her. later transferred them san damiano, few small huts or cells of wattle, straw, , mud, , enclosed hedge. became first monastery of second franciscan order, known poor clares.

for not leave homes, later formed third order of brothers , sisters of penance, fraternity composed of either laity or clergy members neither withdrew world nor took religious vows. instead, observed principles of franciscan life in daily lives. before long, third order grew beyond italy.