The Fifteenth Century: St. Colette of Corbie was the child of her parents old age. Dying while she was yet still an adolescent, St. Colette was left to the care of the Abbot of the local monastery. Early on in her life she attempted joining both a Benedictine and a Poor Clare Order. Disenchanted by their lack of observance she left and lived with a group of celibate women. Eventually she became and Anchoress and lived a holy life of prayer, austerity and contemplation.

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During this time Saint Francis and Saint Clare appeared to her and taught her the history of the Franciscan and Poor Clare Orders. She was given deep knowledge of their life and their charisms.

Saint Francis revealed to her that she was to bring reform to the entire Franciscan and Poor Clare Orders. Refusing, she was struck blind for three days until she consented. 

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With the help of a Franciscan Fr. Henri de La Baume, St. Colette received permission to leave her anchor hold. Later she would petition the pope and receive the authority to found reform monasteries of the Poor Clares and bring a renewal of life to the Friars Minor. 

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St. Colette brought her reform to France, Belgium and Flanders. In later years these Franciscan Friars and the Poor Clare Monasteries she founded would be known by the nickname "The Colettines".

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St. Colette wrote a commentary on St. Clare's Rule which became the Constitutions of this branch of the Poor Clare Order. Today these same Constitutions serve as the foundation for the present set of Colettine Poor Clare Constitutions.

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Throughout the ravages of the post-Second Vatican Council's misinterpretations and destruction of religious life the "Poor Clare Colettines " (P.C.C.) continue to remain as faithful as ever to St. Clare and the reform of St. Colette. The Order has it's own federation continues to receive vocations and open new monasteries.