In June, a group of educators from six Ursuline Education Network (UEN) schools embarked on a pilgrimage to St. Angela’s Italy. ” The Life and Legacy of Saint Angela Merici ” was an opportunity to retrace the footsteps of our founder and honor the 500th anniversary of St. Angela’s personal pilgrimage to Rome in 1525. Over ten days, teachers, administrators, family, and friends, experienced the sights and sounds of the Lake Garda region, Desenzano, Salo and Brescia, the cities of Angela’s formation and bedrock of her spiritual life. Stops included Le Grezze, St. Angela’s childhood home, churches Duomo di Santa Maria Maddalena, Duomo di Santa Maria Annunziata, San Clemente and of course, her Shrine located in the Church of St. Angela Merici, a deeply spiritual moment for participants. After stops in Florence and Assisi, pilgrims arrived in Rome for the Jubilee year Pentecost mass in St. Peter’s Square, celebrated by Pope Leo.  UEN was one of several groups who participated in a pilgrim walk through the holy doors of Saint Peter’s Basilica.  From outside St. Peter’s Square, groups process, each following a special pilgrim cross carried by group members. UEN pilgrims took turns reading aloud the words of St. Angela’s Legacies and Testament while processing to the holy doors. 

The pilgrimage concluded with a visit to the general archives of the Ursulines of the Roman Union. Welcomed warmly by the Ursuline sisters and their archivist, educators were able to view historical documents, including the official decree of St. Angela’s canonization from 1807. Over the next few months, teachers will continue to meet virtually to create classroom curriculum based on their experience. The pilgrimage was a profound opportunity for educators, charged with bringing Angela into the classroom. Through their experience, the pilgrims can testify that St. Angela is, indeed, “more alive” than ever!