Jan. 27th - Angela Merici

 

 Today we celebrate the optional memorial of St. Angela of Merici, who was born in 1470 in Northern Italy. Even as a little child, she was honored as a little saint, because she loved purity and modesty, so much.

When she was 13 years old, Angela entered the third Order of St. Francis and soon afterwards, she took the vow of perpetual chastity, renounced all her possessions, and wanted to live only on alms. She practiced many austere penances, slept on the bare earth, and fasted almost continuously on bread and water. Sometimes Holy Communion was her only food over a period of several days.

One day while she was praying in a secluded place, she had a vision of a friend, who died not long ago. Her friend prophesied that Angela would be a foundress of a religious institute, which would be devoted to the education of the youth, which would do much good for the kingdom of God. The vision gave her a great incentive to lead a life of contemplation, but also to serve others.

She gathered a group of young women, who began to give children religious instruction to little children, to help the poor, and care for the sick. Often times great sinners, were among those she instructed. She encouraged them to be reconciled with God, and begin a new life.

Her virtuous conduct and knowledge of theology, caused many, to regard her as a saint. In 1516, to escape the honor given her, she went to another town, and to live absorbed in prayer. In 1524, she had an ardent desire to go to the Holy Land, just as St. Francis once did. She visited Jerusalem, Calvary, and the other Holy Places with great devotion and returned by way of Rome, in order to pray at the tombs of the apostles.

In 1535, her group of women became a religious congregation known as the Ursualines, named after St. Ursula. They began to spread rapidly, especially in America.

When she reached the age of 70, God revealed to her, the day and hour of her death. She received the last sacraments, and with great fervor was rapt in ecstasy. While pronouncing the Holy Name of Jesus, she died, the very hour, it had been foretold to her. She was laid out in the third order of St. Francis habit, holding a pilgrim’s staff, which she carried in the Holy Land. She was later beatified and canonized.

Angela’s life was a life in which everyone could see the light of Christ shine through her.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Light, help us to live a life of virtue in imitation of Saint Angela Merici to draw all men to Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.