Optional Memorial of Saint Angela Merici, Virgin
- Mary Jo Barr
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Reading 1 1 Peter 4:7b-11
Beloved: Be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. Whoever preaches, let it be with the words of God; whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Mark 9:34b-37
The disciples of Jesus had been discussing on the way who was the greatest. Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around him, he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."
REFLECTION
Angela Merici was the founder of the community of religious women known as the Company of St. Ursala. She received her inspiration to teach young women about their religion from the Holy Spirit.
When Angela was 10 years old she and her sister were left orphans. Her uncle took Angela and her sister in to care for them. Her sister died unexpectedly and not long after her uncle died. Angela left home and joined the tertiary order of Fransicans.
It was after Angela had a vision of a ladder leading to heaven and young virgin women climbing up that she followed the Holy Spirit's inspiration. Then she began to teach young women about their Catholic Faith. She started by teaching young girls in her home. She hoped to form them into good Christian moms. Angela helped women who were prostitutes, as well as rich and poor young girls.
Twenty-eight young women wanted to help Angela in her mission. They formed a lay apostolate and prayed to St. Ursla who was the patron saint of school girls, and opened their homes to teach girls. Later, they were recognized as "the first secular institute for laity in the history of the Catholic Church."
When Angela's apostolate spread to other parts, she decided that they needed to establish a "Rule of St.Ursala" for the single lay women dedicated to teaching girls Christian virtues and morals. After Angela's death, the apostolate became a religious order known as the Ursalines.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace. As St. Peter wrote to the early Church, we must love and serve one another. Angela was a good steward of God's grace gifted to her. She saw that the family based on Catholic Christian values is a foundation for order and love in Society.
Let us pray for all families. Here is our PAPA Prayer for the family.
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