Like the body of Saint Francis, the remains of Saint Clare lay hidden for six centuries before being rediscovered in 1850 after a prolonged search. On 23 September of that year, the coffin was unearthed and opened. Although the saint's flesh and clothing had decayed to dust, her skeleton was found to be perfectly preserved. On 29 September 1872, Clare's bones were solemnly transferred by Archbishop Pecci—who would later become
Pope Leo XIII—to a specially constructed shrine in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint Clare, where they remain visible to this day. The Feast of Saint Clare is celebrated throughout the Catholic Church on 11 August. The feast of her first translation is observed by the religious order on 3 October, while the feast of the finding of her body is kept on 23 September.
Agnes of Assisi is also buried here. == Gallery ==