Saint Angela Merici
Saint Angela Merici“I want to become a Saint because I love Jesus!”Saint Angela Merici was born on ne chilly damp Spring morning, March 21, 1474, to be exact, a girl to a farmer named Giovanni, and his wife Signora Merici, who was of the noble family - the Biancosi of Salo. From the very beginning, the child Saint Angela Merici was wrapped in a robe of piety and holiness, her parents having one focus, to bring her up to love and serve Jesus. And they did, first by who they were, then by word and deed. Angela asked her father to read to her, so that she could learn about the Saints and Virgin Martyrs of the past. Together they delved into the Bible, and other spiritual books pouring over stories of those who shaped the Church. Each evening after chores were over, they would sit by the fire and travel with those who lived and died for Mother Church. Soon this child, all of five years old, began living a contemplative life, fasting and performing acts of mortification. Saint Angela Merici was not, however a sad, somber girl; everyone in the village loved her and looked forward to this little bundle of energy and joy stopping to say hello to them. They would always send a little something home with her which she would share with her family. When the bells would toll from the parish church nearby, summoning them to pray the Angelus, and her family was in the middle of feeding the chickens, her parents would instruct their children to kneel down and tell the Lord they were heartily sorry they could not come to His altar at that time, but that they were offering all their work, feeding His little creatures, to Him; then they should end by pleading with the Lord to accept this labor as their prayer. Saint Angela Merici's parents were honest, pious people who, although poor in the eyes of the world, were rich with super abundant graces from Heaven. Saint Angela Merici’s childhood comes to an end!Saint Angela Merici grew up a happy child, following her parents wherever they went. Like her father, she told her siblings and other children stories of Our Lady. A favorite was the story of Our Lady of Siracusa. She loved to tell stories of such Saints as St. Tarcisius, the little acolyte who died defending the Eucharist. Life was so good; Angela was so happy! But that was soon to end. One day her father was robust and virile, a strong man who rarely had a sick day in his life, and then one day he was gravely ill! All at once he was helpless to withstand whatever was robbing him of life on earth. After days of doing everything of a scientific as well as spiritual nature to save him, he was dying. Saint Angela Merici held her father’s hand, consoling him, speaking to him of the Jesus, Mary and Joseph he so often spoke of, how They would all be there to take him Home. Angela saw her father die a peaceful, resigned death, his lips and eyes nailed to the Crucified Lord on the Cross. Her spirit was at rest because she knew the Lord would not wait long till her father was with Him; but she would miss him; their time together went too fast. Life became almost bearable, time healing somewhat the wounds of her father’s passing, when Saint Angela Mericiwas to suffer another loss, the death of her older sister! She had been more than a physical sister - she was her spiritual sister, sharing in her spiritual walk, understanding and affirming her. Her inconsolable grief, at losing the one closest to her, this sister who was so like her in mind and heart, was further compounded by the knowledge her sister had died without having received the Last Sacraments. Not even the parish priest’s confidence that since her sister had lived a most holy, angelic life, Angela could be assured she was with the Lord, was enough to convince Saint Angela Merici that her sister went to Heaven. None of the efforts made by her mother to reassure her, consoled her; nothing eased the heartache Angela felt, her young heart bleeding out of fear, wondering where her sister was. She could neither eat nor sleep. Saint Angela Merici prayed throughout the night, “Please Lord, tell me if my sister is united with You in Heaven.” Then one day at twelve o’clock, the noon hour, the church bell began tolling, it was time for the Angelus. As Angela was praying, sharing her pain with Jesus, a luminous light suddenly filled the sky and before her, was a company of Angels surrounding her sister, escorting her to Heaven. As she beheld her, she could see her loving sister tranquil and peaceful, her eyes fixed on things Above, ascending, no, gliding along with her Heavenly Guides toward her Lord and Savior. Saint Angela Merici - her first visionThe Lord, in His mercy had granted Saint Angela Mericiher first vision! She would have many in her lifetime, but none would surpass this vision which reassured her beyond any doubt that her dear sister was in Heaven with her Lord Jesus. Till the day she died she could vividly paint (with words) the picture she had seen! As the noble families of the village considered Saint Angela Merici well-bred, her mother being of noble birth, and considering her family was impoverished as a result of falling into hard times, and what with Angela’s fine breeding and deep spirituality, they began to take notice of Angela. Angela was growing in beauty, and the young men of these fine families soon became very attracted to her. They began to ask her mother for Angela’s hand in marriage. It was time for Angela to tell her mother that the day she had had a vision of her sister ascending to Heaven, she pledged her troth to Jesus to be His bride then and forever. Having done so, she could not consider any earthly spouse. Her mother, remembering how this child of hers was spiritual from her earliest years, did not pursue the question of Angela considering the proposals of marriage tendered by the fairest sons of the fairest families. She recognized she was not fighting Angela but the One Who had chosen her for His own. Soon after, her mother passed out on the kitchen floor; thank God there had been a farmer’s wife with her; she called for help and they placed Angela’s mother in bed. Saint Angela Merici was eighteen years old. Knowing her time was growing short, her mother called Angela into her bedroom. She blessed her and thanked her for all the consolation and strength she had always given her. She told her that now Jesus, Angela’s Spouse, would have to be her sole consolation, as she was leaving Saint Angela Merici to join her husband and daughter in Heaven. She told her to give a message to her brother, Angela’s uncle, that she had died in peace and he must promise to take Angela into his family as his very own. That evening, after receiving the Last Rites of the Church, her mother closed her eyes forever. Saint Angela Merici was alone!
Vision of Saint Angela Merici Saint Angela Merici book - dvd - cd
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