St Angela Merici

     Born in Descenzano, Italy, St Angela was orphaned in her teens. With her heart-centered on Christ, Angela's joined the "third Order of Saint Francis". She embraced this sternness of attitude with vigor. In a visionary experience, she felt called to found a"company" of women. 

     Angela was invited to become a live-in companion for a widow. There she became the Spiritual advisor of a group of men and women with ideals of Spiritual renewal and service to those in need. While on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1524, Angela was struck with blindness, but proceeded to visit the Sacred shrines, seeing them in her spirit. On the way back, while praying before crucifix, her site was restored. 

     At age 60, Angela and 12 other women began the Company of Saint Ursula, named for a Patron of Medieval Universities and venerated as a leader of women. This consecrated this new dedication to Christ of living in the world, rather than in the Monastery. Angela and "company" members did not live in community, whore no special clothing and made no formal vows. 

     St Angela Merici died in 1540, in Brescia, Italy. Clothed in the habit of Franciscan "third in order". Her body was interred in  Brescia's Church of Saint Afra. 4 years later, the "company" composed Angela's rule, prescribing Chastity, Poverty and Obedience and was approved by the Pope. This orders main goal was to teach girls. Angela's words continued and still continue to inspire the Ursuline nuns mission of education and has spread worldwide to more than 30 countries. Angela was canonized by Pope Pius VII in 1807. 

     As we reflect on this great Saints conviction to teach Modesty, Chastity and Obedience, let us ask her intercession for the girls and young women of the world today. Especially in a time when modesty of clothing has been forgotten and taught the opposite. Thinking about how we, as women, must present ourselves to the world, is being demeaned by the culture of movie stars and music representatives. By scantily clothed women who are see daily promoting disgraceful attitude toward the great sanctity of the woman's body. All for our young girls to see. It is deplorable to think our children and grandchildren think this is all right. We must fight for the correct meaning of modesty and teach our young women of this age that it is not okay to flaunt, in an inappropriate way, the God-given bodies He has created. To represent and respect ourselves enough to praise God in all ways and to respect our God with modesty and honor. As Saint Angela once said, "in order to be an instrument in God's hands, we must be of no account in our own eyes".

     St Angela Merici, pray for us!