Agnes of Assisi (1207–1232)

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Agnes of Assisi (1207–1232)

Italian abbess. Name variations: (Italian) Agnese. Born in Assisi, Umbria, in Central Italy, 1207; died 1232; dau. of Favorone (or Favarone) Offreduccio (noble and Crusader) and Ortolana; sister of Clare of Assisi.

Born into a wealthy Italian family, was about 13 years younger than sister Clare of Assisi; when Clare founded Poor Clares (Franciscan order for women) and established a convent at San Damiano, joined the convent as a nun and helped sister in role of spiritual advisor; though sometimes overshadowed by Clare, drew admiration from the people of Italy for her own selfless devotion to serving the poor and sick; founded a convent in Monticelli (near Florence) and became its abbess (1219); died young from an undiagnosed illness, about age 25.

See also Women in World History.

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