Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Homily – January 27, 2009 – St. Angela Merici

St. Angela was born in 1470 in Lombardy. She took the habit of the order of St. Francis and called together girls whom she instructed in charitable works. Angela had a particular devotion to St. Ursula (a 4th century virgin, who with her band of companions were martyred for the faith). And so she founded a Company of St. Ursula which took no vows and wore lay clothes, but its Rule prescribed virginity, poverty and obedience. The foundation of the Congregation of the Ursulines is given as November 25, 1535 when Angela and her companions took up residence in Brescia.

Angela's Testament advises those who succeed her in the leadership of the congregation to "be of one heart and mind" because there is "only one sign that is pleasing to the Lord, that of love, and being united to one another." One of her last words of advice was to "do in life what you would have wanted to do in death." The congregation continues to flourish today in various parts of the world (including until just very recently right here in the Diocese of Portland – Ursuline Sisters taught at St. John's School, in Brunswick and they had a motherhouse in Waterville.)

The first reading today from the first Letter of St. Peter pretty well summarizes the spirit of the life of St. Angela and her band: they were serious, sober-minded but so very loving; they were hospitable, and always ready to preach and teach the words and ways of God who strengthened them in this task – so that God would get the glory for all they did for others.

The Ursulines, for 400 years have done work with children and received them in the name of Jesus – and have truly experienced that they were at the same time receiving Jesus himself (as he promised would happen). They were guardians of the truth that those who wish to be great in the kingdom – must be like little children! Children, rightly raised, know who they are, and who they are not; they know who their parents are, and who they are not; they know where their strength comes from, and where it does not!

May we imitate children this way today, and pray for all children everywhere that – especially through our Catholic School System (commemorating Catholic Schools Week this week) – and the work of teaching sisters such as the Ursulines – we all may know who we are (beloved of God), who our parents are (God the Father; Mary, our Mother; and our Mother the Church), and where our strength comes from (God our Rock, our Refuge, and our Salvation).

Young men and women, praise the name of the Lord!

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