Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Angela Merici who was born in 1541 in Desenzano del Garda (Lombardy, Italy). At the age of 15, she and her siblings were orphaned. The brothers and sisters were split up and Angela and her sister went to live with their uncle in Saló. Not long afterward, her sister died and Angela joined the Third Order of Saint Francis. Following the death of her uncle, Angela moved back home to Desenzano where she lived with her brothers.
Angela was deeply devout and received visions from time to time. In one such vision, she was instructed to establish an association of virgins who were to devote their lives to the religious training of young girls. This association was a success and she was invited to establish another school in the neighbouring city of Brescia.
On 25 November 1535, Angela gathered with 12 young women who had joined in her work in a small house in Brescia near the Church of Saint Afra, where together they committed themselves in the founding of the Company of Saint Ursula, placed under the protection of the patroness of medieval universities. Angela's goal was to elevate family life through the Christian education of future wives and mothers. Four years later the group had grown to 28. Angela taught her companions to be consecrated to God and dedicated to the service of their neighbour, but to remain in the world, teaching the girls of their own neighbourhood, and to practice a religious form of life in their own homes. The members of the new Company wore no special habit and took no formal religious vows. Angela wrote a Rule of Life for the group, which specified the practice of celibacy, poverty and obedience in their own homes. The Ursulines opened orphanages and schools. On 18 March 1537, she was elected Mother and Mistress of the group. The Rule she had written was approved in 1544 by Pope Paul III.
When Merici died in Brescia on 27 January 1540, there were 24 communities of the Company of Saint Ursula serving the Church through the region. Her body was clothed in the habit of a Franciscan tertiary and was interred in the Church of Saint Afra. Today, the Ursulines are still present, educating young girls all over the world.
Pray today that Saint Angela Merici will intercede on our behalf to help us identify the needs of our world, the places where Jesus needs us to be so that we can do our part to calm the storms that so often bring doubt and fear to people of our times (cf Mk 4:39-40), and instead do our part to elevate the family and faith lives of our brothers and sisters.
Have a great day.
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