Clare of Assisi

Clare was not only Francis’s follower. She defended her community’s poverty and composed its written rule for papal approval.

Benedict XVI, General Audience, 15 September 2010, privilege of poverty and Clare’s Rule.

The medieval Italian founder of the community at San Damiano, later called the Poor Clares.

Sources1 source

The tradition itself

Benedict XVI, General Audience: Saint Clare of Assisi, 2010, Early life; friendship with Francis; Privilegium Paupertatis; written RuleClare founded and led the San Damiano community, treated Francis as a teacher, defended corporate poverty and composed a Rule for papal approval.