Saint Angela Merici

Saint Angela Merici

Also known as

• Angela of Merici
• Angela de Marici

Memorial

• 27 January
• formerly 1 June
• formerly 31 May

Profile

Franciscan tertiary at age 15. She received a vision telling her she would inspire devout women in their vocation.

In Crete, during a pilgrimage to Holy Land, she was struck blind. Her friends wanted to return home, but she insisted on going on, visiting the shrines with as much devotion and enthusiasm as if she had her sight. On the way home, while praying before a crucifix, her sight was restored at the same place where it had been lost.

In 1535 she gathered a group of girl students and began what would become the Institute of Saint Ursula (Ursuline Sisters), founded to teach children, beginning with religion and later expanding into secular topics; her first schools were in the Italian cities of Desenazno and Brescia.

Born

• 21 March 1474 at Desenzano, Lake Garda, Italy

Died

• 24 January 1540 at Brescia, Italy
• interred in the church of Saint Afra, Brescia, Italy
• body incorrupt

Beatified

• 30 April 1768 by Pope Clement XIII (cultus confirmation)

Canonized

• 24 May 1807 by Pope Pius VII

Patronage

• against bodily ills
• against illness
• against sickness
• against the death of parents
• disabled people
• handicapped people
• physically challenged people
• sick people

Readings

Disorder in society is the result of disorder in the family. – Saint Angela Merici

We must give alms. Charity wins souls and draws them to virtue. – Saint Angela Merici

As our Savior says: “A good tree is not able to produce bad fruit.” He says: A good tree, that is, a good heart as well as a soul on fire with charity, can do nothing but good and holy works. For this reason Saint Augustine said: “Love, and do what you will,” namely, possess love and charity and then do what you will. It is as if he had said: Charity is not able to sin. Mothers of children, even if they have a thousand, carry each and every one fixed in their hearts, and because of the strength of their love they do not forget any of them. In fact, it seems that the more children they have the more their love and care for each one is increased. Be sincerely kind to every one according to the words of our Lord: “Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” Thus you are imitating God, of whom it is said: “He has disposed all things pleasantly.” And again Jesus said: “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” – from Spiritual Testament by Saint Angela Merici

If according to times and needs you should be obliged to make fresh rules and change current things, do it with prudence and good advice. – Saint Angela Merici