Saint angela merici biography meaning

Home / Religious & Spiritual Figures / Saint angela merici biography meaning

As a teenager, however, tragedy struck her family not once, not twice, but three times. Eventually, God expanded that mission and enfolded it into His Church. Angela was deeply concerned about whether her sister was in Heaven, and her heart longed for reassurance. A large crowd of faithful paid their respects to her by visiting the Church of Saint Afra, where her body lay in an open casket for 30 days.

After the untimely death of her sister, Angela was saddened by the fact the that she had not had the opportunity to receive her last Sacraments and was concerned for her sister's eternal salvation.

Angela was inspired by the Holy Spirit to dedicate herself to the Lord and to give her life in service to the Church to help everyone grow closer to the Lord.

In a visionary experience, she felt called to found a “company” of women.

Angela was invited to become a live-in companion for a widow in the nearby town of Brescia. She remained there for about the next twenty years.

At some point it is believed that Angela had one or more visions that increased her trust in God and deepened her commitment to her vocation.

After losing many within your beloved family, God gave you new spiritual children to care for as a spiritual mother. Instead of just driving or walking without paying attention today, open your eyes to the needs you see along the way. Angela left the Company Rules, outlined in 12 articles, some Counsels and a Testament of profound ascetic and spiritual value, imbued with remarkable pedagogic intuition.

She received the habit of Franciscan tertiary at the Convent of Friars Minor of San Bernardino.

In 1516, she traveled to Brescia to bring comfort to Caterina Patengola, whose children had died. Within a short period of time, however, Angela’s parents and sister died. This vision became the seed of her calling to teach young girls about God and to form them for holy living.

At first, her mission was a personal mission of loving girls and guiding them to God in her home.

While on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1524, Angela was struck with blindness. On the way back while praying before a crucifix, Angela’s sight was restored.

At age 60, Angela and 12 other women began the Company of St. Ursula, named for a patroness of medieval universities and venerated as a leader of women. Angela Merici was beatified on April 30, 1768 by Pope Clement XIII and canonized May 24, 1807 by Pope Pius VII.

Angela is often attributed with a cloak and ladder.

She is the patron saint of sickness, disabled and physically challenged people, and those grieving the loss of parents.

The Church of Saint Afra is today the Sanctuary of Saint Angela Merici.