Angèle Merici
1474-1540 16th century Feast day: January 27
Trusting God with the future, and persons more than rules.
Who was Angèle Merici?
An orphan from the Lombard countryside and Franciscan tertiary, in 1535 in Brescia she gathered a company of consecrated women living in their own homes, without cloister or habit. Unheard of. Her Company of Saint Ursula, the first form of consecrated life for women in the midst of the world, would spread into the education of girls on every continent.
In their own words
Act, move, believe, strive, hope, cry out to him with all your heart, and without doubt you will see marvels.
Keep to the old way, and make new life.
My last word to you, and I beg you to observe it even at the cost of your blood: live in harmony, united together, all of one heart and one will.
If, according to times and needs, new rules should be made or something changed, do it with prudence and good advice.