St. Clarus
St. Clarus
When they lived:
Saint Clarus the Hermit is believed to have lived during the 5th century.
Where they lived:
Saint Clarus is associated with various locations in Europe, including France and Switzerland. He is particularly venerated in the Swiss Alps region.
Notable world events during the time of their life:
- Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE): The Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE, marking a significant event in the transition from ancient to medieval times.
- Invasion of the Huns and Barbarian Migrations: During this period, various barbarian groups, including the Huns, invaded different parts of Europe, leading to significant political and cultural changes.
- Council of Ephesus (431 CE): This early Christian council affirmed the beliefs about the nature of Christ and played a crucial role in shaping Christian doctrine.
- Life of Saint Patrick (c. 385–461 CE): Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, lived during a similar timeframe and is known for his missionary work and contributions to Christianity in Ireland.
Patronage:
Saint Clarus is often invoked as the patron saint against eye diseases and for good weather, particularly by those involved in farming and agriculture. His connection to the Swiss Alps also makes him a patron of mountain regions and those who live in isolated environments.
Early Life
More popularly known as St. Clarus, the hermit. Also called St. Clair. St. Clarus was born into an English noble house in Rochester, England, the United Kingdom, and was a saint of the seventh century. Unfortunately, not much information about St. Clarus’s birth, family, and upbringing was stated.
But one thing that stands out is that he left his rich, noble pedigree to pursue a life of solitude, prayer, and devotion.
Life of Devotion
St. Clarus went on to become a priest and joined the Benedictine monks. He traveled to France and settled in Vexin, near Naqueville, near Rouen, where he lived as a hermit (someone living in solitude away from society as a religious discipline).
He devoted his life to teaching and preaching the truths of salvation to people. St. Clarus preached Christianity by word and example.
He was never afraid of standing for the gospel and was consumed by his passion for God.
Death
Like many other saints, St. Clarus paid the ultimate price for his faith and belief in God. St. Clarus’s death came at the hands of an unnamed wealthy noblewoman.
History has it that this woman, obviously of high standing in society, became obsessed with St. Clarus and made advances on him. To escape her advances, he fled into a nearby forest.
Spurned by his rejection of her, she went seeking revenge. This unnamed noblewoman sent two ruffians after him into the forest. When the ruffians found him, they beheaded him.
St. Clarus died a Martyr of Chastity, courage, and discipline for his faith. His date of death was said to be around 875 AD.
After St. Clarus’s death, a shrine was erected in his honor on the very spot where his blood was shed. This shrine has become a pilgrimage center for people far and near.
His feast day is on November 4.
References
Father Alban Butler. “Saint Clarus, Martyr.” Lives of the Fathers,Martyrs, and Principal Saints, [1866] {.ul}. CatholicSaints.Info, November 3, 2013. Web. 30 July 2021. [https://catholicsaints.info/butlers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-clarus-martyr] {.ul}
[https://catholicreadings.org/saint-clarus-the-hermit-saint-of-the-day-november-4/]{.ul}
5 Interesting Facts About St. Clarus
- The French village where his death took place was given his name.
immortalize him (Saint-Calir-Sur-Eph), and a shrine built on his
blood to mark what he stood for. - Did you know his name means bright or Clear and is made use of by
the Romans in the sense of famous - In a wall painting in the chapel of the English College in Rome, you
will find a representation of St. Clarus (one of the few English
saints bestowed the honor. - St. Clarius shares a similar story with the biblical Joseph by
fleeing from powerful women who made advances on them. - You should know that he is honored with singular veneration in the
dioceses of Rouen, Beauvais, and Paris.
Prayer to St. Clarus
Although there is no official prayer to saint Clarus, these beautiful words extracted from the Old Hermit’s Almanac and authored by Edward M.Hays on saint Clarus is a good form of worship. “Rub your eyes and ask St. Clarus to make you long-sighted so you can see the bigger picture in life. Just as myopia causes distant objects to be blurred, the myopia of the spirit causes you to lack discernment in planning ahead.”
