Saint of the Day – 20 February – Blessed Amata (c1200-c1254) OSC Virgin, Nun of Assisi, a Poor Clare Nuna and one of Saint Clare of Assisi’s original followers and her niece Born in Assisi as Amata di Caran. Her name means “beloved” in Latin and is now a common religious name among the Poor Clares.
Amata was born into a noble family in Assisi, Italy; her father was Martino di Carano and her mother Donna Penenda, Clare’s oldest sister.
Amata was destined to marry a nobleman from her hometown and being proud of her beauty, she led a frivolous life. Visiting her aunt, she was enlightened by the humble and serene poverty of the Nuns. She repented, renouncing her previous worldly ideals, refused marriage and in 1213 entered the Monastery of San Damiano.
The Franciscan Martyrology remembers her with this eulogy:
“Destined to marry a nobleman from her hometown, proud of her beauty, she led a frivolous life. Visiting her aunt, she was enlightened by the humble and serene poverty of the Damianites later known as the Poor Clares. She repented and changed her worldly ideals, renounced marriage and in 1213 entered the Monastery of San Damiano.
The Franciscan Martyrology remembers her with this eulogy:
“What a purified and innocent life fervent in Christ’s will, love excelled.”
Due to her harsh penances, she fell ill for thirteen months she suffered from a violent cough and was finally cured by her holy aunt with a simple Sign of the Cross.
Amata was present at St Clare’s death, she was addressed by her St Clare, as Celano recounts, with these words:
“Did you, daughter, see the Kingdom of glory to which I aspire?”
Amata herself died around 1254. When, in 1260, the Damianites abandoned the old Monastery to enter the City, Amata’s remains were brought to the convent of San Giorgio. In 1602, Crescenzio, the Bishop of Assisi, transferred her Relics, those of Blessed Agnes (sister of St Clare) and those of Blessed Benedetta (the first Abbess after St Clare), to a stone urn under an Altar in the Church.
AnaStpaul 