St. Angela Merici

Feast Day January 27
Patron Saint of Families and those responsible for the Spiritual Education of others.

Joyce, MMG's research person, was educated by the Ursulan sisters so is quite familiar with this saint.  Joyce writes, "I thought St. Angela would be a good addition to our saints library because she saw what the lack of spiritual education can do to the family.  She would be a good patron to pray to for help with a family member who has “forgotten” the spiritual education received growing up."

Who is St. Angela Merici?

St. Angela began teaching little neighbor girls, those poor parents could not or would not teach them the elements of religion.  As others joined her, she became the center of a group of people with similar ideals.  At age 57, she organized a group of girls to help her in catechetical work.  She formed them into the Company of St. Ursula, patroness of medieval universities and venerated as a leader of women.  Her purpose was to re-Christianize family life through solid Christian education of future wives and mothers.  The members continued to live at home, had no special habit and took no formal vows.  They observed the practice of chastity, poverty and obedience.  Angela founded the first teaching congregation of women in the Church and what is now called a “secular institute” of religious women.

Angela died four years after starting her Company.  Clad in the Franciscan habit,  she was laid away four hundred and seventy two years ago.  She remains today, the habit greyed with age and her skin delicate parchment, but entirely preserved, one of the incorruptible saints.

Words of St Angela

“If according to times and needs you should be obliged to make fresh rules and change certain things, do it with prudence and good advice.”

"Realize that the need you have to serve others is more important than their need to be served by you." 

St Angela's Promise to Her Sisters

“God will never abandon us as long as the world will last.  Do not doubt it.  I know what I am saying.”

Prayer to St Angela Merici

St. Angela, you were not afraid of change. You did not let sterotypes keep you from serving. Help us to overcome our fear of change in order to follow God’s call. Amen