Then Mass was begun at that same altar where, three years before, Francis had heard the decisive call of Jesus; he was kneeling in the same place, but surrounded now with a whole spiritual family.
It is easy to imagine Clara's emotion.

The step which she had just taken was simply heroic, for she knew to what persecutions from her family she was exposing herself, and what she had seen of the life of the Brothers Minor was a sufficient warning of the distresses to which she was exposing herself in espousing poverty.

No doubt she interpreted the words of the service in harmony with her own thoughts: "Surely they are my people," said Jehovah.
"Children who will not be faithless!" And he was for them a saviour.
In none of their afflictions were they without succor.
And the angel that is before his face saved them.[4] Then Francis read again the words of Jesus to his disciples; she vowed to conform her life to them; her hair was cut off; all was finished.

A few moments after, Francis conducted her to a house of Benedictine nuns[5] at an hour's distance, where she was to remain provisionally and await the progress of events.
The very next morning Favorino, her father, arrived with a few friends, inveighing, supplicating, abusing everybody.

She was unmovable, showing so much courage that at last they gave up the thought of carrying her off by main force.
She was not, however, at the end of her tribulations.