St. Clare
Patron Saint of Television, Eye Diseases, and Laundry
St. Clare was a follower of St. Francis of Assisi and foundress of the Poor Clares. At age 15, Clare refused to marry and began following St. Francis. At age 18, Clare escaped from her father’s house, was met by Friars and taken to St. Francis’ little chapel called the Portiuncula. In this chapel, St. Clare traded her riches for a woolen habit. St. Francis placed Clare in a Benedictine convent. Other women, including her sister, soon joined her. These women lived in seclusion according to a rule given to them by St. Francis. St. Clare served as abbess from the time she was 21 years old until her death over 30 years later.