Memorial Day: January 27When did Saint Angela Merici live: 1474 - 1540BIOGRAPHY: St. Angela Merici, born in Desenzano del Garda (Italy), is the founder of the Ursulines. After her parents and sister died, she moved in with her uncle. She joined the third order of St. Francis and pursued the vision of founding a community of consecrated virgins. Angela therefore returned to her home parish to teach the Christian doctrine to poor girls. In 1535, she succeeded in founding the Society of St. Ursula. This was the first female teaching order in the church and a truly revolutionary act at the time.PATRONAGE: San Angela Merici is the patron saint of the sick, the dying, orphans, teachers and educators.SYMBOLISM: The symbols of Saint Angela Merici are the book as an implication of her educational work, the cross as a sign of her spiritual devotion and the ladder, which represents the higher, divine meaning in life.PATRON SAINT OF:Angela, Angelina, Angelika, Angélique, Angèle, Angie, Gela, Geli