Saint Clare of Assisi and the Power of the Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Clare of Assisi was a young, fragile woman, seriously ill and confined to her bed at the monastery of San Damiano in Assisi. She had no weapons, no soldiers, and no physical strength. Yet, in one of the darkest moments of her life, she showed the world the unstoppable power of the Blessed Sacrament.
In the year 1240, Saracen mercenaries in the service of Emperor Frederick II attacked Assisi. As they advanced, some of the invaders climbed the walls of the monastery where Clare and her sisters lived in strict poverty and enclosure. Panic spread among the sisters. They were defenseless. Capture or death seemed inevitable.
Clare, weakened by illness, asked to be carried to the chapel. With trembling hands, she requested that the Blessed Sacrament be brought to her in a monstrance.
As the enemy stood at the gates, Clare rose from her sickbed, knelt before the Eucharistic Lord, and lifted the Blessed Sacrament toward the approaching soldiers.
With deep faith, she prayed aloud:
“Lord Jesus Christ, protect these sisters whom You have entrusted to me. I cannot defend them, but You can.”
At that very moment, an extraordinary fear seized the invaders. Confusion overtook them. Though no human force opposed them, they suddenly fled in terror, abandoning the attack and retreating from the monastery and the city.
Clare later told her sisters that she heard a gentle voice coming from the Blessed Sacrament saying:
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“I will always protect you.”
What swords and walls could not do, the Eucharistic presence of Christ accomplished. The monastery was saved—not by violence, but by faith; not by strength, but by total trust in Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Saint Clare’s life proclaims a powerful truth: the Blessed Sacrament is not a symbol—it is Christ Himself. When we lift Him up in faith, darkness retreats, fear dissolves, and God’s power is revealed.
Spiritual Lessons from Saint Clare
- Faith is stronger than fear – Clare trusted Jesus when all human help failed.
- The Blessed Sacrament is our greatest defense – Christ present in the Eucharist drives away evil.
- Weakness united to faith becomes strength – Clare’s illness did not limit God’s power.
- Adoration changes history – A moment before the Eucharist saved a city.
When dangers surround us, when fear knocks at our door, and when we feel powerless, Saint Clare teaches us what to do:
Run to the Blessed Sacrament. Lift up Jesus. Trust Him completely.
He who saved San Damiano is still present in our tabernacles today.
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament never fails those who trust in Him.
