A Firm FoundationJuly 22, 2025

Every town in Italy is protected by a tower, a fortress or both. In her writing to us, Angela proclaims the safety of these structures. She said a city on a mountaintop is protected against attacks from invaders. Her reference no doubt was the fortress of Brescia protecting the medieval town against would be conquerors. Angela experienced many such attacks in the twenty or so years she lived in Brescia. In fact, at one point her friends took her to Cremona in exile from the violence in Brescia. However, I cannot help but understand that her words to us had a deeper and more significant meaning than fear of barbarian invasions. These attacks only hurt us physically and may change government structures. Angela was about souls and the importance of protecting our spiritual life.

Angela’s life was dedicated to the spiritual realm. Her secretary Gabrielle Cozzano said that she was more otherworldly. She was about helping souls find protection against the attacks and the presence of evil. Her words though clearly referencing her own experience in Brescia lead us deeply into her life’s work of saving souls, of prayer, of bringing love into the world so in need of love.

Angela structured a prayer life that was a protection against the sinfulness that she recognized threatened the souls of her friends and her daughters. She spent many hours in prayer with her room literally filled with the town’s folk. She welcomed their presence and guided their quiet meditation and prayer as they sought ways to be under the care of God every day. This protection was a fortress with prayer as a firm foundation.

She mentioned prayer many times in her writings. She advocates our bringing all of our difficulties, our sorrows, our pain and our joy to the Lord, the lover of us all. In her testament, she begged us to find our first refuge at the feet of Jesus. In life, Angela could be found praying at the cross in the Duomo of her childhood in Desenzano. When she lived with her Uncle in Salo, she prayed often under the cross in the Church nestled in the safe harbor of that small town. When she moved to Brescia, she often visited the Franciscan monastery and with her spiritual director prayed at the cross in the garden. The Church of San Clemente is situated across from the home of Augustino Gallo where Angela prayed often with Gallo’s family. And of course, she could be seen in the Church of St. Afra as well, the Church which now bears her name. These are only a few examples of Angela’s hunger for closeness and protection. She prayed often and with friends and her daughters.

Finally, she also counsels us to come together often in union and harmony, esteeming each other, helping each other and bearing with each other in Christ Jesus.

Under the cross, we find the protection offered as a safe place to live and minister. Her words give us a firm foundation for a life of faithful service in the world. It is an invitation to following Angela into the heart of Christ and toward bringing the soul of the world into that same space of unfathomable love. So, let us spend some time now in prayer with her…

Take a moment to center yourself, breathe in deeply the spirit of peace and love, sit comfortably, and open to whatever God asks and wherever you are being led.

Holy mystery, I come before you as a follower of Angela, open to your will and your loving presence within me. I ask for the protection against the evil that is so present in our world. Give me to strength to choose You and take refuge at the foot of the cross on which salvation is won.

Holy one, give me the grace to take time for prayer that I may receive the graces that you offer to me.

Loving God, the lover of us all, I ask for your wisdom that I may know your will for me.

Blessed Trinity, as you are one teach me to be one with the sisters and brothers that you have given me. Help us to live in unity always bearing with one another in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Sister Mary Ellen Brinovec