Feast of Sant’Angela da Foligno

Sant'Angela da Foligno, ora pro nobis

January 4th is the Feast of St. Angela of Foligno, Widow, Penitent, Mystic, and Franciscan Tertiary. She is the patron saint of widows and those suffering from sexual temptation.

Born in Foligno, Umbria, in the mid-thirteenth century to an affluent family, St. Angela married a wealthy man and lived a carefree and extravagant life. However, in 1285 she received a vision of St. Francis of Assisi and repented her sins.

Losing her family to the plague in 1288, she divested herself of her wealth and professed the Rule of St. Francis to care for the poor and the sick. Foreseeing her own death, Our Lord appeared to St. Angela and promised to take her to heaven. She died on January 4, 1309.

In celebration, we’re posting a prayer to St. Angela of Foligno. The accompanying photo comes courtesy of Father Eugene Carrella. The holy card is part of Father Carrella’s impressive collection of religious artifacts. Evviva Sant’Angela da Foligno!

Prayer to St. Angela of Foligno

O God, Thou sweetness of hearts and light of the inhabitants of heaven, who didst refresh Blessed Angela, Thy servant, with a marvelous insight into heavenly things, grant us through her merits and intercession so to know Thee upon earth, that we may be found worthy to rejoice in the vision of Thy glory in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.