Roman Catholics observe Friday, Aug. 11, the feast day of Saint Clare of Assisi (Santa Clara de Assisi), the popular patron saint of childless couples and of good weather.
At the San Pascual Baylon Parish (Obando Church) in Obando, Bulacan, where the Italian saint is venerated as one of the town’s three patron saints (along with Nuestra Senora de Salambao and San Pascual Baylon) and where childless couples traditionally dance the “pandanggo” in May during the fertility fiesta, the feast day mass will be offered at 6 a.m. It will be followed by a procession and a Fertility Dance
Devotees are encouraged to offer eggs before the image of the revered saint. It has been an old tradition among locals to offer eggs before her image to pray for good weather and for personal intentions.
Commemorative masses will also be held in honor of Santa Clara at the St. Clare Parish in Tigaon, Camarines Sur and in Longos, Malabon.
St. Clare was the first Franciscan sister, and the founder of the Order of Poor Clares, now known as the Order of St. Claire, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition.
Born in Assisi, Italy on July 16, 1194, she led the Poor Clares for 40 years and lived a life of poverty and self-denial. The members of the congregation depended on alms while they ministered to the sick and did works of mercy.
St. Clare died on Aug. 11, 1253 and was canonized on Sept. 26, 1255 by Pope Alexander IV. Her major shrine is the Basilica of St. Claire in Assisi, Italy which houses her remains.
Having a huge following in the Philippines, the pilgrim relic of St. Clare was brought to key cities and provinces across the country in 2012.