Saint Angela Mérici

Saint Angela Mérici was born on March 21, 1474, in Desenzano del Garda, Italy. From a very honest family — materially poor, but spiritually rich —, since she was little she had a life of prayer and penance, where she sought to love God more and more. With the testimony of her parents, Angela and her sister grew up. He had the habit of meeting with his father to hear about the lives of the saints and began to nurture a devotion to Saint Ursula.

Angela Mérici’s love for Christ and the Church

Five years after his uncle’s death, he returned to Desenzano, dedicating himself to spiritual and corporal works of mercy. He had a dream of seeing young people with lily crowns walking to heaven and, with that, he began a very providential work, serving young people who were at moral risk.

In 1516, she was sent by her superiors to Brescia to assist the widow Catherine Patendola. In the city, Ângela showed a laity increasingly committed to charity, enriched by feminine sensitivity.

The Pilgrimage of Saint Angela Mérici

Upon receiving a second vision, he decided to make a pilgrimage to sacred sites, such as Mantua and the Sacred Mount of Varallo. In 1524, she went to the Holy Land. It was on this trip that Angela suddenly lost her sight. Without being discouraged, he accepted his momentary disability as a sign of Divine Providence. His vision recovered while praying before the Crucifix .

Foundation of the Company of Santa Úrsula

Returning to Italy in 1525, he went on a pilgrimage to Rome. However, Saint Angela Mérici did not accept Pope Clement VIII’s proposal for her to remain in the city and returned to Brescia. On November 25, 1535, with the support of twelve collaborators, Ângela founded the “Companhia de Santa Úrsula”, where the Rule of life was to be outside the convent dedicating herself to the instruction and education of women, with a vow of obedience to the Bishop and the Church. Saint Angela’s main idea was for women to sanctify themselves to sanctify the family and society.

He died on January 27, 1540, at the age of 66. His remains are in the church of Santa Afra, in Brescia. In 1544, Pope Paul III elevated his Company to an Institute of Pontifical Law, allowing the Ursulines to act beyond the confines of the Diocese. In 1768, Ângela Mérici was beatified by Pope Clement XIII and, on May 24, 1807, she was canonized by Pope Pius VIII.

Saint Ângela Mérici is an example of love for Christ and the Church. His charisma and his services were guided by a deep love, which continues to this day.