Also known as
 Angela of Merici
 Angela de Marici
Memorial
27 January
Profile
Franciscan tertiary at age 15. She received a vision telling her she would inspire devout women in their vocation.

In Crete, during a pilgrimage to Holy Land, she was struck blind. Her friends wanted to return home, but she insisted on going on, visiting the shrines with as much devotion and enthusiasm as if she had her sight. On the way home, while praying before a crucifix, her sight was restored at the same place where it had been lost.

In 1535 she gathered a group of girl students and began what would become the Institute of Saint Ursula (the Ursuline Sisters), founded to teach children, beginning with religion and later expanding into secular topics; her first schools were in Desenazno and Brescia.
Born
21 March 1474 at Desenzano, Lake Garda, Italy
Died
24 January 1540 at Brescia, Italy; relics in the church of Saint Afra, Brescia, Italy; body incorrupt
Beatified
1768 by Pope Clement XIII
Canonized
1807 by Pope Pius VII
Name Meaning
angel; messenger (=Angela)
Patronage
 against bodily ills
 against illness
 against sickness
 disabled people
 handicapped people
 loss of parents
 physically challenged people
 sick people