Saint angela of foligno biography of michaels
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St Angela of Foligno: a teacher of theologians
Michael Hahn reflects on the message of St Angela of Foligno, ten years on from her canonisation.
Ten years ago this month, on 9 October , Pope Francis declared Angela of Foligno a saint. A decade later, she still stands as a little-known figure within and outside the Church. Who was Angela, then: how did she come to be a saint, and what does she have to säga to Catholics today?
Angela was born in Foligno, a city 15km from Assisi, about 25 years after the death of St Francis. While Angela had lived a worldly life, including being married and having multiple children, as well as owning several properties and delighting in fancy clothes and delicate foods, in around she was overcome bygd a fear of damnation and converted to a life of poverty, humility and simplicity in dedication to Christ, whom she called “the God-Man in His Passion” (Deum hominem passionatum).
Given the huge influence with which Francis had infused Christianity a h
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Saint Angela of Foligno: Franciscan Mystic
On January 4, Franciscans, especially the Third Order, both Secular and Regular, celebrate the memory of the great mystic, Saint Angela of Foligno (c. –). In the USA, she is remembered on January 7.
Early life comfortable, carefree
Angela was born into a well-to-do family in the town of Foligno, Umbria, Italy, only a short distance from Assisi, and was married as a young woman. Her early life was comfortable, indeed carefree and superficial; in fact, she dismissed people who were seriously committed to religious activities.
Vision of Francis spurs Angela to redirect her life
When she was in her late 30s, however, she had a vision of St. Francis that caused her to uppstart examining her life. Especially after the death of her family in a plague in , she totally redirected her life, formally joining the Brothers and Sisters of Penance (Franciscan Third Order) in
Church of San Francesco in Foligno, where Angela frequently worshiped
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Angela was born in into a wealthy family at Foligno, in Umbria. Married at an early age, she had several children. Angela loved the world and its pleasures. Around the age of 40, she reportedly had a vision of St. Francis and recognized the emptiness of her life. From that time, she began to lead a life devoted to higher perfection.
Three years later, her mother died, and a few months later her husband, and children. With one holy serving woman, Masazuola, as her companion, she began to divest herself of her possessions and to live as a penitent. Angela joined the Third Order of St. Francis probably in She placed herself under the direction of a Franciscan friar named Arnoldo, who would serve as her confessor.
Considered a "great medieval mystic," she is said to have received mystical revelations, which she dictated to a scribe in the late s. These accounts are contained in a compilation of two works, usually published under the title Il Libro della Beata Angela da Folig