Clare of Assisi: Gentle Warrior

by Wendy Murray

Overview

Clare of Assisi: A Woman of Light, Grit, and Faith

For centuries, Clare of Assisi has been known primarily as the devoted companion of Saint Francis. But Clare was far more than just a follower—she was a bold and visionary woman who chose a life of radical faith, sacrificing wealth, comfort, and status to embrace a calling unlike any other.

In Clare of Assisi, acclaimed author Wendy Murray brings this extraordinary medieval saint to life, uncovering the depth of her courage, perseverance, and spiritual conviction. Abandoning a noble birthright for a life of poverty, Clare endured hardships that could have sent her running back to the safety of her family’s wealth. But she remained steadfast, even after Francis’s death, forging her own spiritual path and leaving a legacy that continues to shine.

This book speaks to anyone seeking strength in the face of trials, longing for purpose beyond societal expectations, or looking for an example of unwavering faith in difficult times. Clare’s story is not just history—it is an inspiration for today’s world.

Discover the light of Clare—her struggles, her triumphs, and her legacy of faith that still calls to us today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640601833
Publisher:	Paraclete Press
Publication date:	09/22/2020
Series:	San Damiano Books , #1
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Wendy Murray, author of A Mended and a Broken Heart and Clare of Assisi, Gentle Warrior, spent more than a decade researching Saint Francis and Saint Clare, including time living in Assisi, Italy. An award—winning writer, scholar, and journalist, she was an editor and senior writer at Christianity Today and has contributed extensively to Books & Culture, The Christian Century, and numerous other publications. She holds a B.A. from Hiram College and an M.A.T.S. in New Testament from Gordon—Conwell Theological Seminary where she currently serves as Associate Director of Accreditation and Communications at Gordon—Conwell and Editor—in—Chief of Ex Fonte magazine. Her books explore faith, history, and spirituality through both journalistic inquiry, theological exploration, and personal reflection.  

Table of Contents

Abbreviations 4

Preface 5

Introduction: Why Care About Clare? 11

Part 1

Chapter 1 Nobility 21

Chapter 2 Pining 34

Chapter 3 Trauma 43

Chapter 4 Concessions 56

Chapter 5 Grief 73

Part 2

Chapter 6 Battle Lines 91

Chapter 7 Letters 104

Chapter 8 Interior Landscape 118

Chapter 9 "The Tenor of Our Life" 128

Chapter 10 Assaults and Visits 136

Chapter 11 Clarity 147

Chapter 12 Conclusion 158

Acknowledgments 167

Appendices

A Maps 168

B Source Material 173

Glossary of Terms 193

Illustrations 196

Resources (Selected) 197

Index 201

About the Author 206

Editorial Reviews

Oversimplification sells, but reality is messy. In Clare of Assisi, Wendy Murray chooses the more difficult but also the more rewarding path, as she did in her life of Saint Francis. She takes her readers along with her on a quest among fragmentary and often conflicting sources, piecing together the life of woman in a time and place radically different from our own—a woman whose passionate faith nevertheless has the power to inspire us today.”
—John Wilson, Contributing Editor, Englewood Review of Books

“This account of Clare's life befits her name, ‘Light;’ it illuminates a figure who has historically stood in her more—famous friend's shadow. Wendy Murray's presentation of Clare is neither adulatory nor cynical, but shows us a woman who dared great things and endured great difficulties, and became an example to women through the ages.” —Frederica Mathewes—Green, wide—ranging Eastern Orthodox author and speaker

From the Publisher

"Readers looking for accounts of women pivotal to the growth of Christianity will relish Murray’s welcoming portrait." —Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly - Religion Review

"A fulfilling work meticulously documented for scholars yet accessible for anyone interested in a life of spirituality." —Library Journal

Library Journal - Denise J. Stankovics