Catholic Fire

August 17 is the feast of St. Clare of Montefalco (1268-1308), an Augustinian nun noted for her devotion to the Passion of Christ. For that reason, she is sometimes called St. Clare of the Cross. In her community of sisters, she was a model of religious life according to the ideals of Augustine. As superior of her convent, she constantly urged her sisters to practice self-denial and to seek holiness. She was given the gift of knowledge, which she used to defend the Faith. Clare was born in Montefalco, Italy, around 1268. While still young, she went to live with her sister Joan, who had established a community of cloistered nuns. Together they would spend long hours in prayer. As a young woman she became a member of that community, professing religious vows under the Rule of Saint Augustine. Soon after, she experienced a great trial. Her heart was filled daily with spiritual turmoil. She lost any sense of pleasure in prayer. Temptations assaulted her. She wondered if God had a...

Born in Rome, Walter was a thirteenth century Benedictine hermit (d. 1250). He practiced self-denial and made great progress in the interior life. He later became abbot, being the founder of the monastery of Serviliano in the Marches of Ancona, Italy. This monastery is famous for the resurgence of the Faith pioneered by religious orders in that era. Walter is best remembered for his extraordinary devotion to the Cross and the Passion of Christ.  His body is enshrined on the right side of the high altar in the parish church of St. Mark at Serviliano. Several churches in the area celebrate his festival on his feast day, June 4th.