Born in Italy in 1474, her parents were farmers and devoted to their faith. 

Angela’s father, Giovanni, read to his children about The Lord and the lives of the Saints and Angela developed, at a very young age, a desire to give her life to Jesus. 

However, by the time she was fifteen, both her parents had died and she and her siblings were left orphans. 

With her sister, Angela was sent to live with an uncle but very soon her sister died as well, without receiving her last rites. 

This was extremely upsetting to Angela but she had a vision and, in that vision, saw her sister in Heaven in the presence of The Lord and all of the Saints. 

When she was old enough, Angela joined the Third Order of St. Francis and lived a life of great austerity but, she was very troubled by the lack of education available to the poor children around her, so she began to teach them. 

Then Angela had another vision, that she would one day found a community. She was invited to Brescia to live with a family and teach their children. Taking the position, Angela also continued to educate the poor children. 

She took a trip to The Holy Land but, on the journey was stricken with the loss of her sight. However, she refused to return home, continued the journey and on the way back, her sight was restored. 

In 1535, Angela organized a group of twelve girls, who focused on teaching poor children, while paying special attention to their faith. 

In a few years, the number of young women helping Angela had more than doubled, so she formed them into The Company of St. Ursula, Patroness of Universities and a model for young women. 

The Ursulines did not wear a habit and lived at home. Their Mission was to re-Christianize families through a better understanding of faith in their lives. 

Angela’s Rule for the order emphasized celibacy, poverty and, obedience, and was approved by Pope Paul III in 1544. 

By the time of her death, in 1540, there were 24 communities in The Company of St. Ursula. 

St. Angela Merici, please pray for us.