The Chiara Center is one of the healing ministries of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. All who are part of Chiara Center ministry are committed to the spirit of St. Clare of Assisi who most clearly understood and embraced the gospel vision of St. Francis and cast a transparent healing light throughout the world.
Chiara Center is a faith community dedicated to the discovery and healing presence of God within one's self, everyday life, relationships, and all of creation. All programs, services and hospitality are grounded in the spirit and heritage of Francis and Clare of Assisi.
Guided by the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi
and the mission of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis
it is the vision of Chiara Center
to be a place of peace and
to promote the healing presence of God in our midst.
We dedicate ourselves to revealing Christ's healing presence by
offering hospitality to those seeking peace,
providing an environment, experiences and resources for contemplative living
promoting the Franciscan values of peace, reconciliation and justice,
forming leaders in the ministries of healing,
developing programs and services to promote a spirituality of healing.
In a spirit of joy we engage our mission holistically, ecumenically, and collaboratively with reverence and compassion.
The logo for Chiara Center is set in a circular motif representing wholeness. Light and dark reflect the rhythms of life opening one to God's compassion, healing, and peace. The Tau cross, an ancient Biblical symbol embraced by St. Francis, invites one to gaze, consider, contemplate and enter the Mystery.
Visitors to Chiara Center receive a signature Franciscan almond cookie that has a wonderful history. This recipe, created by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, celebrates a long-standing tradition in the Franciscan story.
The story of Franciscans and almond cookies begins with Jacoba of Settesoli, a young widow, who chose to be a follower of St. Francis soon afer she heard him preach. Jacoba developed maternal feelings toward him and expressed her appreciation by baking him almond honey pastries.
Years later, as Francis' body grew frail, she showed her friendship by sewing softer garments for him than he usually allowed himself to wear.
Although Jacoba lived miles away from Rome, her intuition told her that Francis was dying. She made him burial clothes, his favorite almond cookies, and a silk kerchief to wipe his face as he lay dying. Jacoba was the only woman present at his death.
Years later, she was shown great respect in her own death as she was buried near Francis and his earliest followers in the lower church of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy.
Religious historians also found that St. Clare of Assisi (Chiara in Italian) also enjoyed food made with almonds. In tribute, there continues to be many bakeries in Assisi today which sell these almond pastries.
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