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St Clare of Assisi

Clare Blesses the Bread

In this legend from the Little Flowers of St Francis, a pope visiting Clare’s convent asks her, under obedience, to bless the bread herself rather than blessing it himself. The text does not name the pope; Clare was abbess of San Damiano, just outside Assisi, from about 1215 until her death in 1253.

Saint Clare, the most devout disciple of the Cross of Christ and noble plant of Saint Francis, was of such sanctity, that not only the bishops and the cardinals, but the pope likewise ardently desired to see and hear her, and oft-times visited her in person. Among other times, the holy Father came on a time to her convent to hear her speak of things celestial and Divine; and as they thus discoursed together on diverse matters, Saint Clare in the meantime let make ready the tables, and set the bread thereon, that the holy Father might bless it.

So when their spiritual discourse was ended, Saint Clare kneeling down with great reverence, besought him that he would be pleased to bless the bread set on the table. Replied the holy Father: “Sister Clare, most true and faithful, I desire that thou bless this bread and make thereon the sign of the most holy Cross of Christ, to whom thou hast wholly given thyself.” Quoth Saint Clare: “Most holy Father, pardon me, seeing that I should be deserving of much blame, if I, that am a poor, vile woman, should take on me to give this blessing, before the Vicar of Christ.” And the Pope replied: “To the end that this may not be imputed to presumption but to the merit of obedience, I command thee by holy obedience that thou make the sign of the most holy Cross on this bread, and bless it in the name of God.”

Then Saint Clare, like a true daughter of obedience, most devoutly blessed those loaves with the sign of the most holy Cross. O marvel! incontinent on all those loaves appeared the sign of the Cross impressed most fair to see: then of those loaves, part were eaten, and part for the miracle’s sake were put aside. And the holy Father, when he had beheld the miracle, took of the said bread, and giving thanks to God, departed, leaving Saint Clare with his blessing.

Now at that time there dwelt in the convent Sister Ortolana, the mother of Saint Clare, and Sister Agnes, her sister, they twain together with Saint Clare, full of virtue and of the Holy Spirit, and many other holy nuns; to whom Saint Francis sent many sick persons; and they by their prayers and the sign of the most holy Cross restored them all to health.

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