St. Angela Merici: Living Out Your Vocation
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).
St. Angela Merici was born in the late 1400s in Desenzano, Italy. She is best known for founding the Order of St. Ursula (the Ursulines). I first heard of the Ursuline order on a walking tour in Québec City, oddly enough, as the tour guide pointed out a street sign named after the order and explained that the Ursulines came to Quebec (or New France, as it was called at the time) in the 1600s. When I moved to a different city for work, our new parish was named after St. Angela Merici. I decided to read up on her life and mission, and I took away the following messages from her story that resonated with me on a personal level.
We Are Called to Teach Others
St. Angela Merici’s Order of St. Ursula was built around educating girls and taking care of the sick. It was the first teaching order of women in the Church. Angela’s parents taught her the stories of the saints, and she was particularly inspired by St. Ursula, whom she later named her order after.
Angela recognized her own call for teaching, specifically passing on the faith to youth. I believe that we are all called to transmit knowledge to others, including at work, regardless of whether we are teachers by profession. Working in a leadership position in a male-dominated profession, for example, I hope to be a role model to other women considering a similar professional trajectory.
Go on a Pilgrimage for Renewal and Motivation
Before founding the Ursulines, St. Angela Merici went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as well as one to Rome. Recently, I had the privilege of going on my own pilgrimage to Rome, and I can attest that it rejuvenated and inspired me. Going on virtual or closer-to-home pilgrimages or participating in other forms of retreats can be helpful alternatives. I believe that St. Angela’s pilgrimages prepared her for the eventual creation of her religious order.
God Does Not Abandon Us, and We Should Not Abandon Him
St. Angela Merici experienced tragedy at a young age, losing both her parents as well as her oldest sister. Surely at times she felt lonely and perhaps abandoned, but ultimately she kept her faith strong and dedicated her life to living out her unique calling from God. We all are called to do the same, including in the trials and tribulations that come our way.
Let us be inspired by St. Angela’s fervent faith and courage to use her talents to live out her vocation serving as an educator and servant of God.
Sarah Gagliano Taliun is a genetics professor with many interests in addition to studying DNA. She and her husband now call Montreal home. When she is not reading a scientific article or meeting with students, Sarah can be found experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, reading her Bible or taking a walk in nature.