St Angela Merici
In her adult life Angela was known as Madre Suor Angela (Mother Sister Angela) in Brescia and much of Northern Italy. She was peacemaker, compassionate consoler, wise and practical adviser, prayerful, faithful, advocate for those in need. She engaged herself in furthering charitable works, advocating for church and societal reform and regeneration.
She was known for intervening in personal and minor political disputes. Having a magnetic personality, Angela naturally gathered supporters and friends who were inspired and empowered by her. She demonstrated wisdom in politics and business.
Angela was in tune with herself, with human nature, and with the faithful graciousness of God. Angela was a holy person in the holistic sense – prayerful, faithful to the Church despite its very evident human frailities, seeking out opportunities such as pilgrimages to further her growing intimacy with God.
The company of St Ursula
In 1535, at about 65 years of age, Angela founded the Company of St Ursula. This provided an alternate vocational choice for women at this time beyond marriage or life in an enclosed convent.
People often think St Ursula was our foundress. In reality, St Angela chose to put her new company under the patronage of St Ursula, an early English saint, who was popular in the middle ages as the Patroness of learning. This was a particularly appropriate choice, as it reflected St Angela’s concern for the development and fulfilment of women.The Company of St Ursula offered women the opportunity to respond to God’s call to live a life of total dedication to God while still living in their own homes. It is the same zeal that has continued to inspire Ursulines for the past 475 years. We celebrated this momentous milestone on 25th November 2010.
Angela was a woman who lived with her eyes wide open…
· As a young girl at her father’s knee, she heard of the heroic love of holy women and men in his stories.
· She lived close to the earth in the beautiful Italian countryside.
· She experienced close family love and then loss and sorrow.
· She was attuned to nature…attuned to God…attuned to people.
· Her life experiences taught her compassion.
· She was acutely aware of and responsive to other people’s sorrows and needs.
· Even when blinded on pilgrimage, she saw more than most and continued on…
As you look at and ponder any image of Angela, you’ll see:
· A woman of compassion…you can look into her eyes and know that she feels with you and is there for you…
· A woman of perception…you can see the power of someone who really listens and really sees you…
· A woman of wisdom…you can see the insight and understanding in her eyes.
· A woman of solid inner strength and peace…you can see how she wraps others in comfort and protection, how she carries life burdens with peace.
· A woman of focus…you can see her focus on the journey, focus on God…not on the obstacles or the difficulties.