The Order of Poor Ladies, also known as the Poor Clares, the Poor Clare Nuns, the Clarisse, the Minoresses, or the Second Order of St. Francis, is an order of nuns in the Roman Catholic Church. It was the second Franciscan order to be established, founded by Saints Clare of Assisi and Francis of Assisi in 1212. The Poor Ladies were organized after the Order of Friars Minor (the first order), and before the Third Order of penitents or tertiaries. As of 2004 there are over 20,000 Poor Clare nuns in over 20 congregations and federations living in over 76 countries throughout the world [1]. Nun in cloister, 1930; photograph by Doris Ulmann A nun is a woman who has taken special vows committing her to a religious life. ... The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church (see terminology below) is the Christian Church in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, currently Pope Benedict XVI. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter. ... The Order of Friars Minor and other Franciscan movements are disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi. ... Saint Clare of Assisi, born Chiara Offreduccio, (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253) was one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi and founded the Order of Poor Ladies to organize the women who chose to take the Franciscan vow of poverty and celibacy. ... Saint Francis of Assisi (1182—October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. ... Events The first Great Fire of London burns most of the city to the ground Battle of Navas de Tolosa Childrens crusade Crusaders push the Muslims out of northern Spain In Japan, Kamo no Chōmei writes the Hōjōki, one of the great works of classical Japanese... Franciscans is the common name used to designate a variety of mendicant religious orders of men or women tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi and following the Rule of St. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Tertiaries. ... Penance (via Old French penance from the Latin Poenitentia, the same root as penitence, which in English means repentance, the desire to be forgiven, see contrition; in many languages only one single word is derived) is, strictly, repentance of sins as well as the actual name of the Catholic Sacrament... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Third Order. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In Medieval England their convent was located near Aldgate. The order gave its name to the still-extant street known as Minories in the City of London. Aldgate was a gateway through London Wall to the City of London, located by the East End. ... The Minories is an area of London close to the Tower of London. ... The City of London is a geographically-small city within Greater London, England. ...

One branch of the Poor Clares follows the "Rule of St. Clare," which was approved by Pope Innocent IV the day before St. Clare died in 1253. Other branches are the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration {originally known as the Franciscan Nuns of the Blessed Sacrament, founded in 1854, counting Mother Angelica among its members), the Capuchin Poor Clares, and the Colettine Poor Clares. The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration are a branch of the Poor Clares, a contemplative order in the Franciscan tradition. ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Mother Angelica born Rita Antoinette Rizzo is an American Roman Catholic nun and founder of the Eternal Word Television Network. ...

The Convent

In June and July 2006 BBC Two broadcast a television series called The Convent [2], in which four women were admitted to the monastery for a period of six weeks. June 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Extraordinary renditions. ... Early elections in November are announced in the Netherlands. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• The Catholic Encyclopedia: The Poor Clares
• Community of St Clare (Anglican)
• The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Bautzen/Germany
• The Convent television series
• Order of Poor Ladies