Parish FAQs

Q. Who is St. Angela Merici

A. Our patron, St. Angela lived during the middle 1400s in northern Italy. She entered the religious life as a young girl, and later formed a new religious “company” when she saw that the girls of her hometown were growing up with little education. She dedicated her time to teaching girls in her home, which she had converted into a school. Although it was never a religious order in her lifetime, Angela’s Company of Saint Ursula, or the Ursulines, was the first group of women religious to work outside the cloister and the first teaching order of women. Angela died on January 27, 1540 and was canonized on May 24, 1807 by Pope Pius Vll. Her feast day is celebrated on January 27.

Q. What is the meaning of the fleur de lis?

A. You may have noticed many depictions of the fleur de lis in our church – just take a look at the wall behind the altar! The fleur de lis is a stylized representation of the lily, which represents purity, and in turn the Virgin Mary. The three “petals” also symbolize the Holy Trinity.

q. what does "soli deo gloria" mean?

A. The phrase which means “Glory to God Alone” was at the very foundation and the heart of St. Angela Merici’s life and ministry. “Soli Deo Gloria” is embedded throughout the writings of St. Angela and has been adopted as the motto of the Ursuline Sisters.