Agnes of Assisi: Sister, Sacrificial Lamb and Saint
Sr. Mary Elizabeth Imler, OSF
Franciscan researcher Arnaldo Fortini writes, "One of the most obscure areas (in Franciscan history) is (Clare's) family."[1] To write about Clare's blood sister Catherine, also known as St. Agnes of Assisi, proved the need for sleuthing and speculating. What is written about any medieval woman is scant and even Clare's story is told much in the shadow of Francis. Her sister Catherine, of whom even less is known, is similarly overshadowed by Saint Agnes of Prague, both “soul sisters” to Clare.
Catherine was born in 1197 the middle daughter to Count Favarone and Countess Ortolana di Offreduccio. She was baptized at the diocesan font in the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore and given the name Catherine, probably after St Catherine of Alexandria. She was three years younger than Clare, "tender in age, a sister by flesh and by purity."[2]
Hagiography notes the Offreduccios were a noble family with seven knights in the household. Fortini notes medieval noble families were quite extended and somewhat clannish. The uncle, Monaldo, one of five including Clare's father, was the leader. Francis Therese Downing, O.S.C. suggests the father was not much home as a knight (miles) and where the typically medieval children grew up in a culture of power structures, dominance, and controls.[3]
In 1198, the revolt of the minores in Assisi precipitated all the Pro-Imperial nobility to go into voluntary exile. As a babe in arms, Catherine went with the Offreduccio family to Perugia until returning from exile when she was about eight. Soon after, a third daughter, Beatrice is born. The remainder of Catherine's childhood passed between her father's palace in Assisi near the new San Rufino Cathedral and Sasso Rosso castle on Mount Subasio.[4] Catherine remained with Clare almost the remainder of her adult life at San Damiano, though sometimes leaving for year-long stays to establish other convents of Poor Ladies. This separation gives footing to the woman saint she becomes developing into her own holiness.
St. Clare, Ortulana and St. Agnes Altar piece in the Danvikens Hospital, Sweden (1525)
Blood sisters dare to hold the secret longing of each other's hearts
The two elder siblings were very close.[5] The sisters spent much of their time together even hearing "Francis preach, and they wanted to imitate his example of living a simple life of service. When they told their father that they wanted to live like Francis, he said he would never allow it to happen. (Nonetheless,) they were sure that God was calling them to a new life, exchanging their jeweled belts for knotted ropes."[6] After Easter, at the early age of fifteen, barely two weeks after Clare departed from her family home and through the fruitfulness of Clare's ardent prayers,[7] Catherine follows. Catherine meets up with Clare residing with a group of Beguinage women at Santo Angelo in Panzo. She joined her sister having resolved to share their secret longing to live a life of poverty and penance. There is no mention of Francis in Agnes' decision for a partnership the two sisters schemed about before Clare left home. While Francis offered Clare counsel, imagine Clare assuming the task of “teaching her novice-sister."[8]
"The next day, hearing that (Catherine) had gone off to Clare, twelve men, burning with anger and hiding outwardly their evil intent, ran to the place (and) pretended (to make) a peaceful entrance."[9] Uncle Monaldo, angry at the loss and embarrassment of his brother's two daughters not so much for entering religious life but without dowries, drew his sword to strike his niece, but his arm allegedly withered useless. The other men dragged Catherine out of the Beguinage by her hair, striking and kicking her. Catherine's body reportedly became so heavy and strong as her commitment that her assailants were forced to drop her in a nearby field. Their relatives, purportedly realizing that something divine protected Catherine, allowed the two sisters to remain. "After they departed with a bitter spirit… (Catherine) got up joyfully and, already rejoicing in the cross of Christ for which she had struggled in this first battle, gave herself perpetually to the divine service."[10] Overjoyed at Catherine's heroic resistance to the threats of her pursuers due to the power of Clare's prayers and her resolve, Francis himself cut Catherine’s hair, dressed her in the habit of poverty. Heroic as St. Agnes the martyr, Francis bestowed on Catherine the name Agnes, a trusting Lamb of God. Clare receives her vows. Here the two receive their initial training for creating their new form of life. Agnes fades into Clare's shadow and sees herself as "the lowly and least of Christ's servants."[11]
Escaping the unsuccessful family rescue, Francis moved the two sisters to the rudimentary space of San Damiano that he had repaired by September of 1212. Francis prophesized about this sacred space made holy by the women living within, "…through whose fame and life our heavenly Father will be glorified throughout the church."[12]
In 1214, after the Fourth Lateran Council, Clare reluctantly accepts the title Abbess in the role she had been serving; Agnes is named Vicaress. The following year, Innocent III grants a Privilege of Poverty to San Damiano, and the little community begins to grow rapidly with Benvenuta of Perugia and Pacifica di Guelfuccio, and many other townswomen and friends joining the sisters.
15th Century image of Agnes with outstretched arms bearing a lamb. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Sisters courageously and honestly help shape dreams into reality
A chronology of Francis' life shows that around 1217, Francis was preaching in Florence. As in other situations, his words inspired his listeners. Francis promises assistance to some Benedictine nuns to live as the Poor Ladies and a place was offered for them outside the city walls at Monticelli. In 1219, this group formally asks to find their way to highest poverty and holy unity as “Damianites.” Agnes is chosen to lead the community[13] in this new form of life. It breaks Agnes's heart to leave San Damiano but she responds obediently. Around 1221, Sisters Agnes and Giacoma arrive at Monticelli.
Cardinal Hugolino had visited San Damiano in 1220, and in a subsequent letter called Agnes, “my sister.” This admiration allows Agnes to obtain the same distinguishing Privilege of Poverty granted to San Damiano for Monticelli dated 1222. The fame of the Poor Ladies at San Damiano and Monticelli spreads. In a letter, Agnes writes to Clare[14] as she pours out her soul in a state of "great distress and immense sorrow… beyond measure and almost incapable of speaking, because I am physically separated from you and my other Sisters with whom I had hoped to live and die in this world," she shares that the sisters have received her with great love and joy. This surviving document, touchingly beautiful in its simplicity and affection, clearly demonstrates her love of poverty and her loyalty to Clare's ideals.