SAINT CLARE - BEYOND THE LEGEND
... by Marco Bartoli. Translated by Sr. Frances Teresa Downing O.C.S.
"Clare: Beyond the Legend" opens with a tantalizing question: Did Clare of Assisi ever exist? This perplexing question arises from the fact that Clare Offreduccio is never mentioned in Francis' writings nor does Thomas of Celano refer to her in the Second Life. Clare might have remained a silent unknown woman of the Middle Ages had the 800th anniversary of her birth not spurred research into the mystery of her existence. Bartoli gleans vital information from the multiple conferences held during the 800th anniversary celebrations to create a new spiritual-historical portrait of the noblewoman of Assisi who chose a life of poverty. From the silence of her monastery life, Clare became the custodian of Franciscan memory. Bartoli brings Clare from silence to modern memory with interest and integrity." Patricia Normile, S.F.O., author of John Dear on Peace. "A balanced picture of Clare as the first Franciscan woman. - from the foreword by Fr. Muray Bodo, O.F.M. Published March, 2010 by St. Anthony Messenger Press, paperback, 176 pages. (Order B16950 Price $14.95) |
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