Clare of Montefalco

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Saint Clare of Montefalco
St. Clare of the Cross
Born	1268 in Montefalco
Died	18 August 1318 in Montefalco
Venerated in	Roman Catholicism
Canonized	1881, Rome by Pope Leo XIII
Feast
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St. Clare of Montefalco, ital. Chiara da Montefalco, also called St. Clare of the Cross (c. 1268 - 18 August 1318) is a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. She was a 13th Century Italian Abbess and religious leader.

Born at Montefalco, Clare is revered by both the Franciscan and Augustinian orders as one of their own. Initially, as a 6 year old she joined with her own blood sisters and other friends to begin a Franciscan house, Holy Cross Convent at Montefalco, Italy. Her sister Joan was the first abbess. At the young age of 23, Clare became the abbess of Santa Croce after the death of her sister, and under her direction, the house adopted the Rule of Saint Augustine.

She was widely regarded by her contemporaries as a mystic, and was sought after for advice.

She died at her native Montefalco.

She was canonized in 1881 by Pope Leo XIII.