Annual Prayer Event in Desenzano Honors S. Angela Merici

This evening at the «Mericianum» Spirituality Center in Desenzano, the thirty-sixth prayer meeting in honor of the patroness and founder of the Ursuline Order, S. Angela Merici, will take place.

Starting from 8:00 PM, the rosary and the mass will be held, presided over by Monsignor Andrea Veggio. From next Monday to Friday, August 31st, the «Mericianum» center offers a seminar of reflection and prayer.

For further information, you can contact 030 9120356. Participation in the seminar is welcome with a free offering.

Biography of Angela Merici

Angela Merici, canonized by a papal decree on January 29, 1962, was born in Desenzano in a house next to the castle around 1474. Her father, Giovanni, was from Brescia. Her mother, Caterina, was the sister of ser Biancoso de Bianchi of Salò, who was for many years a member of the Gardesano city council.

Angela spent her childhood, adolescence, and part of her youth freely in the fields and doing daily chores on the farm in the locality of Le Grezze, on the outskirts of Desenzano, where her family lived.

Giovanni and Caterina’s children were five, three boys and two girls (Angela was the second to last). Having lost her sister and parents in a very short time, Angela and a brother moved to Salò, staying with her uncle Biancoso.

Here, instead of indulging in the comfortable life offered to her, she became a Franciscan tertiary. From then on, she would be known as Sister Anzola to everyone.

In 1516, her superiors sent her to Brescia to Madonna Caterina Pantegola, who had lost her husband and children. Angela thus began a mission that would expand to embrace all who sought her help.

She was a pilgrim to Rome for the Jubilee of 1525. After returning to Brescia, she founded the «Compagnia di S. Orsola».

Angela initiated this institution on November 25, 1535. She died on January 27, 1540, in Brescia. She is buried in the church of S. Afra, dedicated to her.

She was canonized by the Church on May 24, 1807.