Notwithstanding the wealth of material published about St Clare of Assisi (1193-1253) in the context of medieval scholarship, and the wealth of visual material regarding her, there is a dearth of published scholarship concerning her cult in the early modern period. This work examines the representations of St Clare in the Italian visual tradition from the thirteenth century on, but especially between the fifteenth and the mid-seventeenth centuries, in the context of mendicant activity. Through an examination of such diverse visual images as prints, drawings, panels, sculptures, minor arts, and frescoes in relation to sermons of Franciscan preachers, starting in the thirteenth century but focusing primarily on the later tradition of early modernity, the book highlights the cult of women saints and its role in the reform movements of the Osservanza and the Catholic Reformation and in the face of Muslim-Christian encounter of the early modern era. Debby?s analyses of the preaching of the times and iconographic examination of neglected artistic sources makes the book a significant contribution to research in art history, sermon studies, gender studies, and theology.

Sister Moon Saint Clare of Assisi was truly St. Francis' partner in Christ. She was the first female member of the Franciscan community. She fought against the whole Franciscan community, including popes, to maintain the original Rule of St. Francis. After his death, she spent the rest of her life caring for her ladies. She would not even die before her rule for the Poor Clares was approved by the Pope. Clare is a role model for all women in headship, not exclusively of the Church, but especially of the Church. She may very well have been placed on this earth to be a prototype for Superiors of Religious Communities, male and female, for centuries to come.

"If you seek the Cross of Christ, take my heart; there you will find the Suffering Lord." Come with us to the beautiful Umbrian mountains to Montefalco, Italy. Learn the life of St. Clare of Montefalco, Founder of the order of The Holy Cross. Scenes from the Augustinian convent in Montefalco. Incorrupt body. Discover the Crucified Christ, and the Crown of Thorns formed inside the muscle of her heart. She had a vision of Our Lord Jesus carrying His Cross, looking very weary. He said to her, "I am looking for someone I can trust with My Cross. " She said, "You can trust me." He thrust His Cross into her heart. For the rest of her life, she suffered Agony and Ecstasy. Visit the garden and see the miraculous tree which still bears fruit today. Discover the story of the Montefalco Rosaries made from these nuts. They come from a stick, watered under obedience to Our Lord Jesus which is over 700 years old and still bears fruit. Go inside the cloister where she lived and died. Meet her community of Nuns, who joyfully still live the rule.