Who Are the Poor Clares?


	The Poor Clare Nuns constitute the second branch of the Franciscan Order, founded in the thirteenth century by St. Clare under the inspiration and guidance of St. Francis of Assisi.

As contemplatives, Poor Clare nuns observe the Gospel life lived within the bounds of papal enclosure.

To the three ordinary vows of religion: obedience, poverty and chastity, the Poor Clare nun adds a fourth vow of enclosure.

“The form of life of the Order of the Poor Sisters which the blessed Francis founded is this: to observe the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

—Rule of St. Clare