By the time Clare was 17, her family had arranged a marriage with a powerful nobleman, a future her heart fiercely resisted. Inspired by the sermons of Francis of Assisi, she yearned for a life devoted solely to God, embracing poverty and prayer, according to Biography. One night, under the cloak of darkness, Clare slipped away, leaving behind her opulent life and a shocked family. Guided by a single candle, she made her way to the Porziuncula, a small chapel where Francis and his brothers resided. There, before the altar, Francis himself cut her long hair and vested her in a rough wool tunic, marking her entry into a life dedicated to Christ. Her family's fury was swift and fierce. They pursued her, attempting to force her return, but Clare remained resolute, clutching the altar and declaring her unwavering commitment to her chosen path. She eventually found refuge in the monastery of San Damiano, where she founded a community of women who, like her, sought to live lives of radical poverty and devotion. This community became known as the Poor Ladies of Assisi, later to be called the Poor Clares. Clare’s mother and sister, Agnes, eventually joined her, further bolstering the new order. Clare's leadership at San Damiano was marked by an unwavering commitment to the Franciscan ideal of poverty. She fought to ensure her community remained true to this principle, even resisting attempts by Church officials to impose rules that would allow them to own property in common. Her perseverance eventually paid off, with papal approval of a rule based on absolute poverty granted shortly before her death in 1253. Even in her final illness, Clare's spirit remained vibrant, her faith unwavering. On her deathbed, she whispered words of profound gratitude to God for having created her. Just two years after her passing, Clare was canonized a saint. Today, the Poor Clares continue to flourish, a testament to the powerful vision and unwavering faith of their remarkable foundress.