St Clare: The Patron Saint of Television

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Church of Santa Chiara

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August 11th is the Feast Day of St Clare of Assisi, the patron saint of television and telecommunications. 

Chiara Offreduccio (1194-1253) was one of the first followers of St Francis (c. 1181-1226) and the founder of the Order of Poor Clares.  

On September 26th 1255, St Clare was canonised by Pope Alexander IV (r. 1254-61). 

A little over seven hundred years later, in 1958, Pope Pius XII (r. 1939-58) declared St Clare to be the patron saint of television, on the basis that when she was too ill to attend Mass, she had reportedly been able to see and hear it on the wall of her room. 

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