Clare of Assisi: The Woman Who Made Fasting a Life of Devotion and Simplicity

When Clare of Assisi walked away from a life of wealth and privilege in medieval Italy, she chose a path of simplicity, prayer, and service. Inspired by Francis of Assisi, she dedicated herself to a life centered on humility and devotion.

Among the practices that shaped Clare's spiritual life was fasting. For Clare, fasting was not a pursuit of suffering for its own sake. It was a way to simplify life, strengthen devotion, and focus attention on what she believed mattered most.

As the founder of the Poor Clares, one of the most important contemplative religious communities in Christianity, Clare helped establish a tradition in which fasting and simplicity became central expressions of faith.

Who Was Clare of Assisi?

Clare was born in Assisi, Italy, in 1194 into a wealthy noble family.

Growing up in privilege, she was expected to marry and continue her family's social standing. However, inspired by Francis of Assisi's teachings, Clare chose a radically different path.

At the age of eighteen, she left her family home and joined Francis in pursuing a life of poverty and religious devotion.

Francis helped establish a community for women at the Church of San Damiano near Assisi, where Clare became the leader of what would later be known as the Order of Poor Ladies, or Poor Clares.

Clare served as abbess of the community for more than forty years.

Clare's Approach to Fasting

Fasting was deeply connected to Clare's understanding of religious life.

The Poor Clares followed a strict lifestyle marked by:

• Simplicity.
• Prayer.
• Poverty.
• Service.
• Limited possessions.
• Periods of fasting and abstinence.

Clare and her sisters practiced fasting as part of their commitment to living with fewer material comforts and dedicating themselves to spiritual reflection.

Historical accounts describe Clare as observing particularly strict fasts, sometimes eating very little and practicing additional periods of abstinence.

The Purpose of Clare's Fasting

For Clare, fasting was an expression of love and devotion rather than an achievement.

Her fasting represented:

Humility

By reducing physical comforts, Clare sought to cultivate humility and dependence on God.

Solidarity

Living simply allowed Clare to identify with those experiencing poverty and hardship.

Spiritual Focus

Fasting created time and attention for prayer and contemplation.

Freedom From Excess

Clare believed that fewer possessions and fewer distractions allowed people to focus more deeply on spiritual life.

A Life of Radical Simplicity

The defining feature of Clare's life was not simply fasting—it was her complete embrace of simplicity.

The Poor Clares lived without personal wealth or possessions. They depended on donations and community support while dedicating themselves to prayer.

This lifestyle was considered radical in medieval Europe, especially for women from noble families.

Clare's example challenged cultural expectations about wealth, status, and the purpose of life.

Historical Perspective

Much of what is known about Clare comes from early biographies, letters, and writings from the Franciscan tradition.

Her own writings, including the Rule of Saint Clare, provide valuable insight into her beliefs and practices. She was the first woman known to have written a monastic rule for a women's religious community.

While medieval accounts sometimes include devotional stories that reflect the religious culture of the time, historians agree that Clare was a significant religious leader who shaped Christian monastic life.

Clare and the Tradition of Christian Fasting

Clare continued and expanded the spiritual vision shared by Francis.

Where Francis emphasized service, simplicity, and engagement with the world, Clare developed a deeply contemplative tradition centered on prayer and devotion.

The Poor Clares became one of the most widespread women's religious orders in Christianity, with communities established around the world.

Their traditions of prayer, simplicity, and fasting continue today.

What Can We Learn Today?

Clare's example offers lessons that extend beyond medieval religious life.

Her story encourages us to:

• Question what we truly need.
• Practice intentional simplicity.
• Create space for reflection.
• Recognize that discipline can create freedom.
• Use personal choices to support deeper values.

In a world often focused on consumption and accumulation, Clare's message of simplicity remains surprisingly relevant.

Key Facts

Era: 1194–1253

Known For: Founder of the Poor Clares and companion of Francis of Assisi.

Connection to Fasting: Practiced regular and sometimes severe fasting as part of a life of prayer and simplicity.

Purpose of Fasting: Devotion, humility, spiritual focus, and identification with the poor.

Legacy: Established one of Christianity's most enduring contemplative traditions for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Clare of Assisi fast?

Clare practiced regular Christian fasting and periods of abstinence as part of her commitment to prayer, simplicity, and religious devotion.

Did Clare fast more than Francis?

Historical accounts suggest Clare practiced very strict fasting, but comparing the severity of their practices is difficult because medieval sources often emphasized spiritual devotion rather than precise measurements.

Why did Clare choose a life of poverty?

Clare believed that simplicity allowed her to focus more completely on faith, prayer, and service rather than wealth and social status.

Why is Clare included among famous fasting figures?

Clare represents the important role women have played in the history of fasting and demonstrates how fasting became part of a lifelong spiritual practice.

Lasting Legacy

Clare of Assisi showed that fasting could be more than a temporary practice—it could become part of an entire philosophy of life.

Through simplicity, prayer, and devotion, she created a community that would endure for centuries. Her example reminds us that what we remove from our lives can sometimes reveal what matters most.

Nearly 800 years later, Clare's message continues to inspire people seeking a life of purpose, compassion, and intentional living.