Today we celebrate the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, who gave up everything to follow St. Francis. I'm writing to you today to ask you to make a small sacrifice to help us do the same.
Like Francis, Clare was born into one of the wealthiest families in Assisi, she the third of five children. She was a strong, dedicated young woman, generous and compassionate toward the poor. Although her family had arranged for her to marry at age 15, Clare refused. At age 18, she heard the charismatic preaching of young Francis and his message of peace and penance. It transformed her life. She made arrangements to meet with him and receive his advice.
In a dramatic series of events, Clare secretly left her home one night, meeting Francis and his followers at the Portiuncola, a small chapel. There she removed her fine cloak and donned the simple habit of the friars. Francis cut off her long blonde hair. For safe keeping, they moved Clare to a nearby Benedictine convent.
Her father and uncles stormed the convent several times, trying forcibly to return her to her former life.Clare moved to the compound at San Damiano, where she lived for 42 years until her death.
Here at Franciscan Media, we reach out with various media to inspire people in the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare. We publish the national, Catholic family magazine St. Anthony Messenger. We publish books, lots of them. These media pay their own way, through subscription and book sales.
Our other, newer evangelization efforts happen through the generosity of partners such as you. Our AmericanCatholic.org web site, with its immensely popular "Saint of the Day," reaches 7 million people each year. We reach out to about 160, 000 per month via Facebook and 55,0000 via Twitter. 100,000 people have logged in to share their faith with one another via Catholic Greetings.
In short, you and we together preach the renewing word of God that is Jesus Christ to people all over the world. Please help us continue. Please consider donating $50, $75, $100 or more so that we may continue to evangelize in the spirit of St. Anthony. Your tax-deductible donation in any amount helps us pay the costs of our web ministry, which touches thousands with the Good News every day.
Use our secure online donation form or mail a donation payable to the Franciscans at Franciscan Media, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer, you may phone in a credit-card donation for our evangelization ministries at (513) 241-5615, ext. 169 or in the U.S., 800-488-0488, ext. 169.
Peace and every blessing,
Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M. Publisher, Franciscan Media
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