Poor Clare Nuns (Order of St. Clare)

In 1212, foundress St. Clare left her home in Italy to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. She was clothed in a poor habit as a sign of her consecration to God. Several others joined her at the Church of San Damiano, just outside of Assisi, and began what was called the Poor Ladies. After St. Clare’s death in 1253, the community became known as the Poor Clares or Nuns of the Order of St. Clare.

The Poor Clare Nuns’ mission is to live the Gospel in total poverty, through a life of prayer and penance. They do so through daily prayer, readings, communing with God and silent meditation. Living in community is another critical aspect of the sisters’ charism. They share responsibilities for the upkeep of the monastery. The order in St. Louis have a specialty of making altar breads for use in the Holy Mass.  They have had a presence in the Archdiocese of St. Louis since 1959.

All are invited to pray in the Monastery of St. Clare – Daily 6:15am & Sunday 6:30am Mass. The chapel is open for prayer daily until 5:30pm.

For the Jubilee Year, on designated Sundays all-day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is open to all, with Evening Prayer at 4:30pm followed by Benediction at 5pm. 2025 dates: May 4, June 8, July 6, (August 3: 7pm Novena to St. Clare will replace 4:30 Evening Prayer), September 7, October 5, November 9, December 7.

A Holy Hour for priestly and religious vocations is held the first Friday of each month at 7pm, ending with Benediction.

All are welcome to attend the annual Novena, held in August, ending with the August 11 Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi.

As a Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Site, a Jubilee plenary indulgence may be gained for oneself or the holy souls in purgatory by praying at a jubilee pilgrimage site under the usual conditions.

Our calendar: https://poorclaresstl.org/calendar.