Clare of Assisi was a daughter of a noble and wealthy parents. It was expected that she would soon be given away in marriage to a nobleman of the city. However, one day she heard Francis of Assisi preaching, and something touched her heart. Accompanied by a friend, she secretly met with Francis, listening to him speak about truly living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Clare decided that she too wished to live and follow the way of the Gospel. One evening, with a companion, she slipped out of her family’s mansion, and went to the chapel known as the Portiuncula. There, in the presence of the other friars, she had her hair cut short, and received a plain habit and veil from Francis. She would eventually take up residence in the church of San Damiano. A small community of women began to grow up around her. This included two of her sisters, and eventually, her mother. Francis wrote a form of life to guide them, which Clare would include the Rule she composed later on.

The fame, the popularity of the Poor Sisters, as they were called, began to grow. It grew beyond the borders of the Italian provinces, into Europe, usually with the help and guidance of the Franciscan friars. It was in Prague, in the country of Hungary, that the movement came to the attention of a woman by the name of Agnes, daughter of a king. Inspired by what she learned about Francis, and the lives of Clare and her Poor Sisters. Agnes had a monastery built, and she and other women joined the Franciscan movement. Clare would eventually hear about Agnes of Prague, and she reached out to her, providing spiritual guidance. Four of her letters to Agnes of Prague survived.

“O most noble Queen, gaze upon (Him), consider (Him), contemplate (Him), as you desire to imitate (Him). If you suffer with Him, you will reign with Him. (If you) weep ( with Him), you shall rejoice with Him; (If you) die with Him on the cross of tribulation, you shall possess heavenly mansions in the splendor of the saints, and, in the Book of Life, your name shall be called glorious among men.” Second Letter from Clare to Agnes of Prague