Few though, who are familiar with St. Clare’s story, know that she had a younger sister - St. Agnes of Assisi. St. Agnes was only about 14-15 years old when St. Clare left home for the convent at the age of 18. Inspired by her example, and burning with the same loving zeal, Agnes too stole away from home - only some days later. She hurried to the Benedictine convent of St. Angelo, where St. Francis had arranged for St. Clare to stay. Imagine the sisters’ bliss! Called and drawn to the same vocation together, they were indeed blessed and grateful for this treasure.
But their faith and courage was first to be greatly tested.
St. Clare’s departure from home had been extremely unsettling and vexing to her family. They were not pleased with Clare’s decision at all. And so when Clare and Agnes’ father, Count Favorino, discovered that his younger daughter had now suddenly gone missing in a pious flight to that fanatical friar Francis! His rage was beyond control. This would not be tolerated!
Without hesitation, he dispatched his equally infuriated brother Monaldo, to go and fetch the foolish girl.
"If she will not come peacefully," Count Favorino demanded. "Use force!"
Monaldo did not need much persuasion, he rallied together some relatives and friends, and soon a band of 12 angry, strong and armed men came storming down on the convent.
Their intention was instantly known, and Agnes hurried to the protecting arms of her sister Clare. Clutching her with all her strength, Clare held on tightly as their relatives came swarming in. Despite her cries and refusals to leave, Agnes was forcibly torn out of her sister’s arms and dragged away. Helpless at the sounds of her sister’s calls for help, Clare instantly fell to her knees and turned to God in prayer.
Meanwhile, though Agnes’ resistance was in vain, she was enraging her uncle all the more by her obstinacy. And so, in his anger, Monaldo drew his sword and raised it to strike his defenseless niece.
But then… without warning, his arm fell. But not on Agnes. It instead hung lifeless at his side, and he felt it grow withered and limp. This miraculous manifestation of God’s clear Will was not enough, though, to dissuade Agnes’ captors. The rest of her relatives seemed all the more driven on and continued to drag the young girl away from the convent.
Exhausted and terrified, poor Agnes was now powerless in their hands. She had no strength left. Clare, however, had not given up. And, prompted by a sudden inspiration, the young Saint jumped to her feet and hurried towards the attackers, loudly calling out to her sister.
And God assisted her with another miracle.
The men suddenly felt the unconscious girl they were dragging become extremely heavy. But she was not just heavy, she was immovable! It was as if she were rooted in the ground, like an ancient tree. Despite their countless efforts, none of their combined strength was able to move the young girl one bit! And so, admitting defeat, and recognizing at last the Hand of God, the relatives left Agnes in peace with her sister.
And later, when St. Francis heard about what had happened, he was exceedingly glad; and cutting her hair with his own hands, rewarded young Agnes with the gift she desired most - the habit of a virgin and bride of Christ.
And it was with these two sisters that St. Francis first began what was to be, in years to come, globally recognized as the Order of Poor Clares.