Merici, Angela

Merici, Angela foundress of the Order of Ursulines, was born at Desenzano, on the lake of Guarda, in 1511. Her family name was De Brescia. She was brought up by her uncle, and at an early age entered the Order of St. Francis. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and after her return established at Brescia, in 1537, a new order of nuns, of which she was appointed superior. Angela Merici died March 21,1540. Her order was so successful that at the end of a century after its organization it counted in France alone over three hundred and fifty convents. See Helyot, Hist. des ordres monastiques, 4:150; D'Emillianne, Hist. des ordres monustiques, p. 247-249; Moreri, Dict. hist. s.v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Bioy. Generale, 2:638. SEE URSULINES.