His Word Today: Saint Angela Merici

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Angela Merici (21 March 1474 - 27 January 1540), who was born on a farm near the small town of Desenzano del Garda (Lombardy, Italy).  Following the death of her parents and her only sister, she joined the Third Order of Saint Francis.  A deeply spiritual woman, she had a vision in which she learned that she was to found an association of virgins who would dedicate their lives to the religious training of young girls.  Like the scribes in today's gospel passage (Mk 3:22-30), Angela would have questioned the source of this inspiration, but eventually came to believe it to be of God.  Proof of this truth came to light in the fact that the association was such a success that she was invited to start another school in the neighbouring city of Brescia.

On 25 November 1535, Angela gathered in a small house near the church of Saint Afra in Brescia, along with 12 young women who had joined in her work,  There, they committed themselves in the founding of the Company of St Ursula, placed under the protection of the patroness of medieval universities. Their goal was to elevate family life through the Christian education of future wives and mothers. They were the first teaching order of women religious.

Merici 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 neighbourhoods, and practicing a religious form of life in their own homes. The members wore no special habit and took no formal religious vows. Merici 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, first in the region around Brescia and later in various places throughout the world.

Saint Angela, who listened to the call of the Lord to be of service to those in need can help us today to be attentive to the Lord's inspiration.  It is He who always brings to light the situations in which He needs us to say yes.

Have a great day.