The war for Westminster’s door is officially closed! 🚪 Archbishop Janani Luwum marches on after defeating Wang Zhiming 58.1% to 41.9%, punching his ticket to the Saintly Sixteen! 🙌
But enough about the guys… today belongs to the sisters! 👑
It’s a holy sibling showdown as Clare of Assisi takes on Scholastica. Will Scholastica follow in the saintly footsteps of her brother Benedict and advance? Or will Clare keep the Franciscan magic alive and chase a Golden Halo like her pal Francis? ✨
Two holy women. One heavenly slot in the Saintly Sixteen.
Watch the video, read the blog, and cast your vote! 🗳️🔥
Clare of Assisi
When you think of saints from Assisi, Clare might not be the very first one who comes to mind, but she’s definitely the second. Hers is something of a riches-to-rags story. Clare was born to a wealthy count in Italy. Her devout mother sparked a keen religious interest in Clare and her two sisters from an early age…so much so that when her parents decided it was time for Clare to be married, she high-tailed it to Francis (as in Saint Francis of Assisi) and pleaded to be admitted to a holy order so she could devote herself entirely to worship and study of Jesus Christ.
Her deep commitment to emulating Christ (and to a lesser extent, Francis) fueled her journey from becoming a teenage nun to co-founding a religious order with Francis himself in 1212, called the Order of Poor Ladies. Later, they would become known as the Order of Saint Clare, now more commonly referred to as the “Poor Clares.” Unsurprisingly, given the name, the order adhered to a vow of strict poverty. So strict, in fact, that Pope Gregory IX nearly forbade them from continuing to follow it, for fear that it was detrimental to the sisters’ health. Even in this, Clare’s faith was unwavering. Her steadfastness convinced the Pope to let her have her way (as a reminder, “her way” was strict poverty). Though her faith made her a powerful force of nature, she was anything but power-hungry; she actively (though unsuccessfully) resisted becoming abbess of the religious order she co-founded, and wanted to be seen more as a servant to her fellow nuns than a master.
The miracle most commonly cited in any story of Clare’s life occurred in 1240, when Saracen armies attacked her convent. A frail Clare prayed over the Eucharist for protection. According to this legend, Clare then revealed the Holy Sacrament to the encroaching army, and they fled at the sight of it, as if blinded.
Another miraculous tale is that Clare, too ill to attend a Christmas mass, was granted a clear vision of the entire service as if she had been there in person. This story is so legendary that, over 700 years later (in 1958), it led to humble Clare being named the patron saint of television!
That said, maybe the most telling triumphs of Clare’s lifetime aren’t the ones that get labeled as “miracles.” Her spiritual influence was so mighty that not only did her two (biological) sisters follow her into the order, but after her father died, her mother joined as well. She is the first woman to write her own Rule for a monastery, in 1252. And just a day or two after learning that her Rule had been approved by the Vatican, Clare died, praising God for the life he had given her. She was canonized only two years after her death.
— Marissa Flaxbart
Collect for Clare of Assisi
O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, might serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Scholastica
Scholastica was the founder of the Benedictine order of nuns and the sister of Benedict of Nursia. Born in 480 in Nursia, many traditions say that she was Benedict’s twin. She and Benedict were raised together until he went off to school in Rome.
Scholastica, on the other hand, became a consecrated virgin, and established a community with a handful of other dedicated women in Monte Cassino. Pope Gregory the Great records that she was dedicated to God from an early age, and most likely lived as a consecrated virgin in her parents’ house, then moved near her brother’s monastery when he founded it in Monte Cassino, beginning her own community of nuns.
According to the most famous legend, she and her brother would meet one day each year, to eat together and discuss scripture and spiritual matters. They had a house halfway between their monasteries reserved for this purpose. One day, as they were meeting, Benedict got up to go, but Scholastica requested that he stay the night to spend more time with her. He declined–and suddenly a massive thunderstorm erupted outside. Benedict panicked, but Scholastica calmly reported that since he hadn’t listened to her, she asked God, and God had–so he could leave if he wanted, but she imagined it would be pretty hard. Left without many options, Benedict elected to stay the night, chatting with his sister through the evening about the kingdom of heaven.
Scholastica died three days later in 543, and Benedict saw her soul ascending to heaven as a dove.
She is remembered today as the patron saint of Benedictine nuns, education, children with convulsive disorders, and as providing protection against thunderstorms.
— Megan Castellan
Collect for Scholastica
Assist us, O God, to love one another as sisters and brothers, and to balance discipline with love and rules with compassion, according to the example shown by your servant Scholastica; for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
53 comments on “Clare of Assisi vs. Scholastica”
Two very similar and impressive women! Would love to split my vote.
While I love Scholastica's story, I named my daughter Claire in honor of the Assisi friends. I guess you know where my allegiance is.
I voted for Scholastic, just because I wanted to see her compete against her brother. Maybe in the future, there will be a Saintly Sibling Rivalry bracket, pitting siblings against each other.
As a graduate of a Benedictine high school, Scholastica had my vote! I still remember her statue across from Benedict's in the front hallway.
I liked Clare's stubborness--she could have lived in the lap of luxury, but she was so Faith-driven that she chose a spiritual path.
As an embroiderer & sewer who has poor eyesight and a big brother named Francis, I had to vote for my namesake.
In honor of my many ancestors and relatives named St. Clare she has my vote today and always!
Claire is always second, so it’s a pleasure to vote for her and put her first!
BTW, there’s now a third saint from Assisi — Carlo Acutis, aka “patron saint of the internet” and “God’s influencer.”
What is in the water in Assisi?
Although my middle name is Clare and I have read a good deal about her, I had to go with Scholastica for rules with compassion and discipline with love rather the extremes of Clare.
Just like what she has done better.
Who? You didn’t say!
The thunderstorm story is great. I used to have a dog who was inconsolably terrified of thunder, and I had a nephew who suffered from a severe seizure disorder, so I’m going with Scholastica.
Something must be up with the voting. I kept trying to vote for Clare, but Scholastica must be using some of that thunderstorm mojo, because every time I try to vote for Clare my vote won't count.
I voted for Clare in honor of fond memories of the Poor Clares in Memphis, TN, whose prayers for my family were very much appreciated.
My wife's aunt who just passed away was a Poor Clare. They've done so much good in the name of Christ.
As a Kansan I voted for protection from thunderstorms.
WOW! Both of these two ladies are magnificent! The relationship they each had with a formidable
saint is impressive. They seem to be more alike than different! I wonder Clare was influenced by Scolastica….
I love the story of Scholastica asking God to give her Benedict's company for the evening and God sending a rain storm, but Clare and her order have done so much good taking care of the sick, welcoming strangers, and otherwise caring for the poor that I had to vote for Clare.
St. Francis of Assisi is my all time favorite saint and would be a nonbrainer if it was him but I have to go with the protector of children with convulsive disorders as my niece and daughter have dealt with these. Definitely a nail biter today.
Francis has his Golden Halo!
"Brother Sun, Sister Moon," Franco Zefferelli's rather cheesy biopic of Francis and Clare, has stayed with me since I saw it in high school. Franciscan, and Clare, for me.
Yes! I honestly picture Francis and Claire this way whenever I think of them.
I once bicycled through a 2-hour thunderstorm, so Scholastica has my vote!
Clare today, rain tomorrow!
I voted for Scholastica. I disapprove of the anorexia Clare practiced. She wouldn’t have been so frail defending her convent if she had ever allowed herself to eat. I’m with Gregory IX: starvation is not a spiritual discipline. I’m for robust, healthy virgins (or not) out in the world working and celebrating life with God’s people. All God’s people. That includes the Saracens.
Clare and her friend Francis are two of my favourite saints, people who gave up loves of privilege to serve the poorest of the poor. One can't get much more Christ-like than that!
I like both of these uppity women. Clare stood up to the pope concerning her order's rule. Scholastica implored her male sibling to extend their annual meeting, and when he declined, went straight to a higher authority -- who seemingly did her a solid and sent a Thor-like thunderbolt.
However -- and I realize she had neither the Anglican via media nor Oscar Wilde's "Everything in moderation, including moderation" to go by -- with Clare's rules for her order being worrisome enough to come to the pope's attention and concern, I'm voting for Scholastica.
Clare and her friend Francis are two of my favourite saints, people who gave up lives of privilege to serve the poorest of the poor. One can't get much more Christ-like than that!
Scholastica who? I am all in for St. Clare.
Hi! The bloggers’ names are switched on the write ups today. I wish I could take credit for the awesome Clare write up, but alas, I am not that cool.
Surely, Megan, you meant mistress rather than master 🙂
Oops! Then, I should have written my comment to Marissa! My apologies 🙂
Tough choice. Growing up I heard that my Irish grandmother was a lay member of the Poor Clares and was buried in the order's brown robes. But I was born on Scholastica's feast day and I rarely get the chance to honor her so...
I'll have to go with Clare since I have thought of her often throughout what is now my own long life. I appreciate her gentleness and her extraordinary dedication to poverty. Sitting in the strpped down rawness of poverty seemed to make it possible for her to sit side-by-side with sweetness of God's great love and presence.
While these are both admirable women, I decided to vote for Scholastic due to her love of education but also because I am tired of both monks and women who want to lead very religious lives, thinking that starving themselves is a necessary requirement. Clare was "ill" and "frail" all the time because she did not eat. That makes no sense to me. But, obviously, looking at the current vote tally, it does not bother most people.