47. Saint Clare
After his conversion Francis began to restore small churches close to Assisi. He did this because when he heard a voice from the crucifix say to him: 'Go, rebuild my church', he understood the words literally. The first church he rebuilt was the Church of San Damiano. This was to become the home of his greatest disciple, Clare of Assisi, who founded the Order of Saint Clare. Clare came to Francis six years after his conversion and after overcoming opposition from her family she was able to start a community of sisters. Celano says of the Church of San Damiano: 'This is the blessed and holy place where the glorious religion and most excellent Order of Poor Ladies and holy virgins had its happy beginning'. Late in his life Francis wrote a Canticle for these sisters. His Canticle was meant to encourage them and, as it was clear that his time with them would be limited, they needed assurance for the future. The advice he gave them is simple and practical but at the same time it has an element of inspiration. They are to live in truth, not to look at the life they have left behind, to use the alms the Lord gives them with discernment, to be at peace as they care for the sick, because from their efforts they 'will be crowned queen in heaven with the Virgin Mary'.
