Religious Sister (1470-1540)
Her life
+ Angela was born in the Lombardy region of Italy.
+ A member of the Third Order of St. Francis, Angela dedicated herself to the service of poor girls.
+ In 1535, Angela brought together a group of women dedicated to prayer and service under the patronage of the virgin and martyr Saint Ursula. The “Company of St. Ursula” was one of the first communities of teaching sisters in the Church.
+ In the papal bull establishing the Ursuline Sisters as a religious community, Pope Paul III praised Angela declaring, “With maternal love, she embraced all creatures… Her words were inflamed, powerful and sweet, and spoken with such an unheard-of effectiveness that everyone felt compelled to say, ‘Here is God.’”
+ Saint Angela Merici died on January 27, 1540, and was canonized in 1807; she is honored as a patron of those with physical disabilities.
For prayer and reflection
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another
as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God;
whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies,
so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”—1 Peter 4:10-11
Spiritual bonus
On this day we also remember the priest and hermit Blessed Manfredo Settala. Born into a high-ranking family in Milan, Italy, he was ordained a priest and served in parish ministry before discovering his called to the eremitical life. After becoming a hermit at Monte San Giorgio, Italy, his reputation for holiness spread and he became known as a miracle worker. Blessed Manfredo died on January 27, 1217, and he was honored for his holiness immediately after his death.
Prayer
May the Virgin Saint Angela never fail to commend us
to your compassion, O Lord, we pray,
that, following the lessons of her charity and prudence,
we may hold fast to your teaching
and express it in what we do.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...
Prayer for this morning