Saint Angela Merici
Virgin, foundress of the Ursulines, born Desenzano, Italy, 1474; died Brescia, Italy, 1540.
At an early age she became a tertiary of Saint Francis.
She established a school at Desenzano for the instruction of young girls in religion, and later founded a second school at Brescia.
In 1535 she laid the foundation for the Ursuline Order by gathering together twelve religious companions at Brescia.
Emblems: ladder, cloak.
Canonized, 1807.
Relics in church of Saint Afra, Brescia.
Feast, Roman Calender, 31 May.
New Catholic Dictionary
