It’s almost time to head back to the classroom, but even if you don’t have school-aged children, there’s a certain back-to-seriousness feel throughout August. Channel your lifelong learner side by exploring the lives of three women saints who have feast days this month. These holy women knew the truth when they heard it, followed the Lord and taught others to do the same.
In the early 13th century, the future St. Francis was causing a stir in Assisi, drawing the interest of many, including a young woman of noble birth named Clare. Drawn to the Lord through Francis’ preaching at a Lenten mission, she left her parents’ home because she felt God calling her to live like Francis and his followers. She eventually established her own order, the Poor Clares, and is the first woman to write a rule of life for religious sisters. Learn more about the female saint of Assisi, whose feast is celebrated Aug. 11, in “St. Clare of Assisi: Light From the Cloister” by Bret Thoman, OFS, or “St. Clare of Assisi: Runaway Rich Girl,” a graphic novel for young readers.