ST. CLARE OF MONTE FALCO, V.

SHE was born at Monte Falco, near Spoletto, in Italy, about the year 1275. She was from her childhood an admirable model of devotion and penance. Having embraced the rule of St. Austin, she was chosen abbess yet very young; in which charge her charity, her example, and her words, inspired all who had the happiness to enjoy her conversation with an ardent desire of the most sublime perfection. Her profound recollection was the effect of the constant union of her soul with God. If she spoke any word which seemed superfluous, she condemned herself to the task of reciting one hundred Our Fathers. The passion of Christ was the favorite object of her devotion. She died on the 18th of August, 1308; the process for her canonization was ordered by pope John XXII. but interrupted by his death. Urban VIII. published the bull of her beatification, and she is named in the Roman Martyrology. See Nævius, in his Eremus Augustiana, p. 368. Cuper the Bollandist, p. 664. Bzovius, de signis Ecclesiæ, 1. 5, c. 49. Bened. XIV. de Canonis. Sanct. t. 4. App. § 48, p. 354.