On March 18, 1212, St. Clare fled from her family home to become a follower of St. Francis.  This is considered the beginning of the Order of St. Clare [Poor Clares].  In the Princess of Poverty, published by Mother Maddalena on the 25^th anniversary of her coming to America (1900), we have the following account of Clare’s flight:
When Sunday came, Clare went to Church along with the rest, in the company of a number of young damsels, night, not surpassing them all by the splendor of her rich and elegant dress. Then there happened an event worth mentioning. When all the faithful hastened to receive the blessed palm, Clare, out of maidenly modesty, remained in her place. The Bishop perceiving this, descended the steps, approached her seat and placed a palm branch in her hand. That same night, she prepared herself to carry out the command of the Saint; and accompanied by some attendants, who formed her suit of honor, she started on her premeditated flight. Not wishing to leave the house by a public exit, she went to a side gate and finding it obstructed by huge stones and massive posts, she pulled down every obstacle with her own hands, so that she herself was astonished at the wonderful strength with which she was so suddenly endowed.