Saint Angela of the Cross

Saint Angela of the Cross was born into a Spanish family of modest social status, but full of Christian virtues. She grew up in a very religious environment, helping her parents with manual work, especially sewing. In this way, Angela became affectionate, discreet, docile and aroused admiration in everyone who knew her.

In a prayer practice, Angela had a strong experience with the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which inspired her to immolate herself in union with Jesus for the salvation of souls. He then decided to consecrate himself to God in religious life. However, due to poor health, she was not admitted to Carmelo. In 1868, he joined the Daughters of Charity, but two years later he had to leave the Institution.

She returned to her work, but, under the guidance of her spiritual director, she lived as a “nun without a convent” and wrote down her thoughts and soul desires. In this way, he discovered his permanent vocation: the founding of an Institute inspired by “becoming poor with the poor”. Thus, in a rented room, with three other women, Ângela founded the Sisters of the Cross, whose objective was to welcome orphaned girls. The Sisters of the Cross were approved by the diocesan Bishop in 1879 and soon spread throughout Spain, Italy and America.

Ângela da Cruz was elected Superior General four times, standing out for her virtues of naturalness and simplicity. She left as a legacy the mystique of the cross, based on the sacred scriptures: “As for me, may God forbid me to boast except in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).

Saint Angela da Cruz also left a sentence that summarizes her philosophy of life: “The true and pure love that comes from God is in the soul and makes it recognize its own defects and divine goodness. Such love leads the soul to Christ, and it safely understands that there can be no verification or deception. Something from this world cannot be mixed with such love.”

Unfortunately, Angela suffered from cerebral thrombosis, which led to her death after nine months of great pain. Despite being paralyzed, she tried more to please than to bother. He died on March 2, 1932, and Seville spent three days in front of his corpse. The Holy Father Pope John Paul II beatified her on November 5, 1982, recognizing all her dedication to charity and faith.