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St Clare of Assisi

Clare and the Saracens

In September 1240, the date most modern accounts give, troops of the Emperor Frederick II, among them Saracen archers descended from the Saracens who had once ruled Sicily, broke into the enclosure of San Damiano just outside Assisi. Clare, who was ill, had herself brought to the door with the Blessed Sacrament carried before her, and prayed.

By reason of the calamities which the Church suffered in different parts of the world under the Emperor Frederick, the valley of Spoleto very often drank of the chalice of wrath. Bands of soldiers and of Saracen archers numerous as bees were stationed by the imperial command to lay waste fortified castles and to besiege cities. And when at one time their hostile fury was directed against Assisi, the special city of God, and the army was already close to the gates, the Saracens … rushed into the confines of S. Damiano, even into the cloister of the virgins. The hearts of the ladies sank within them from fear, their voices trembled with terror, and they went in tears to the mother. Although she was ill, Clare with a stout heart directed that she be led to the door and placed before the enemy, a silver casket enclosed in ivory, in which the Body of the Holy of Holies was most devoutly kept, preceding her. And as she wholly prostrated herself before the Lord in prayer she said to her Christ amid tears: “Doth it please Thee, my Lord, to deliver Thy defenceless handmaids, whom I have nourished with Thy love, into the hands of the pagans? Defend, O Lord, I beseech Thee, these Thy servants whom I in this hour am unable to defend.” Presently He sent her of His special grace a voice as if of a little child which sounded in her ears: “I will always defend thee.” “My Lord,” she said, “and if it please Thee protect the city, for it supporteth us for love of Thee.” And the Lord answered: “It will be troubled, but it shall be defended by My protection.” Then the virgin, raising her tearful face, comforted the weeping, saying: “Rest assured, I bid you, little daughters, that ye shall suffer no harm; only trust in Christ.” Nor had an instant elapsed before, … they quickly descended the walls they had scaled, being overthrown by the power of her prayers. Then straightway Clare solemnly enjoined those who had heard the aforesaid voice, saying: “Be most careful in no way, dearest daughters, to reveal that voice to any one so long as I live.”

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