Saint Angela Merici

Saint Angela Merici was born in 1474 in Desenzano, a town in northern Italy. At that time, Italy was made up of many small regions, and each region had its own way of living and beliefs. People were very religious, and the Catholic Church was an important part of daily life. However, many people, especially young girls, were not getting the proper education they needed. In those days, girls were often not taught to read or write, and many did not have the opportunity to learn about God and their faith. Saint Angela Merici saw this need and decided to do something about it.

Her Early Life

Angela Merici was born into a poor family, and she lost her parents when she was still a young girl. After their death, she lived with her uncle and aunt. Angela had a deep love for God, and from a young age, she wanted to serve Him in any way she could. She chose to live a simple and prayerful life, helping those around her with kindness and love. As Angela grew older, she felt called to do something special for young girls and women in her community who were not able to receive a good education.

Her Mission in Education

Angela Merici knew that education was important, especially for girls. She believed that by teaching young girls about God and giving them the knowledge they needed, they could grow into strong, confident women who could serve God and their communities. She also wanted to help women who had lost their families or were living difficult lives. In the 1530s, she founded the Company of Saint Ursula in the city of Brescia, Italy. This was a religious group made up of women who dedicated themselves to teaching and helping others. These women became known as the Ursulines, and their mission was to educate girls and young women.

The Company of Saint Ursula was different from other religious groups at the time. It was not a traditional convent where the women lived together in a building, but a group of women who went out into the community to teach. They lived at home, but they came together for prayer and for teaching. They worked in schools, teaching girls how to read, write, and learn about their faith. They also taught girls how to live virtuous lives and how to become good citizens. Angela Merici wanted every girl to have the chance to learn and grow in the love of God.

Her Work and Impact

Angela Merici’s work had a big impact on the people of her time. She made sure that young girls had the chance to learn and grow, and she encouraged women to take an active role in the Church. She knew that when women were educated and empowered, they could make a big difference in their communities. The Ursulines became one of the first groups of women religious to focus on education, and their work spread to many countries. The Ursuline order grew quickly, and the women who joined Angela’s group followed her example of loving service and education.

Even though Angela was not very rich or powerful, she changed many lives with her work. She was known for her wisdom and her deep faith in God. Angela was not only a teacher, but also a guide and a mentor to many. She inspired people to love God, to be kind to others, and to help those in need. Angela Merici passed away in 1540, but her legacy lives on through the Ursuline Sisters and the many schools and institutions they run around the world.

Her Canonization

In 1807, more than 250 years after her death, Angela Merici was declared a saint by the Catholic Church. She was recognized for her deep faith, her commitment to education, and her love for the people around her. Today, Saint Angela Merici is remembered as a powerful example of how one person can change the world through love, education, and faith. Her feast day is celebrated on January 27 each year.

Reflection

• Deep love for God and service to others: Saint Angela Merici shows us the importance of loving God and taking action to help those in need. She didn’t wait for others to act—she saw a need and worked to fulfill it. Her life teaches us that we can make a difference when we step up to help others.

• The importance of education: Angela Merici’s focus on education reminds us that teaching others is a powerful way to help them grow. By providing girls and women with the chance to learn, she gave them the tools they needed to build a better future. We can all contribute to someone’s growth by sharing knowledge and supporting their education.

• Faith, love, and service can change the world: Saint Angela’s story shows us that we can make a difference in the world by living with love, faith, and service. While we may not all start schools or religious orders, we can still help others by being kind, caring, and teaching what we know. When we live with these values, we create a better world for all.

  Prayer: Saint Angela, you fell in love with God at a young age and fostered that love through hard times. After losing many within your beloved family, God gave you new spiritual children to care for as a spiritual mother. You embraced that calling, and much good fruit was borne in the Church. Please pray for me, that I may learn from your example by caring for those whom God has placed in my life, devoting myself to serving them in accord with God’s perfect will. Saint Angela, pray for me. Jesus I trust in You.