Thursday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time

Saint Angela Merici was born on March 21, 1474, on a farm near Desenzano del Garda in Lombardy, Italy. Orphaned at ten, she went to live with an uncle in Salò, where sorrow over her sister’s sudden death deepened her prayer and trust in God. Drawn to a life of holiness, she joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and quietly embraced simplicity and modesty, desiring to belong wholly to Christ. Returning later to Desenzano, Angela received a strong call to gather women who would serve the Church by forming the young, especially through the Christian education of girls. Invited to Brescia, she devoted herself to this mission with wisdom and humility. In 1535 she founded the Company of Saint Ursula, a new way of consecrated life in which women lived in their own homes, practiced poverty, chastity, and obedience, and taught within their neighborhoods. From this seed grew the Ursulines, spreading prayer and learning across the world. She is honored as patron of Desenzano del Garda and several communities and schools. Her feast day is January 27.

Saint Constantius of Perugia lived in the second century and died around AD 170, in the region of Umbria, Italy. Local tradition remembers him as the first bishop of Perugia, chosen while still a young man, and as a tireless shepherd who preached the Gospel and cared especially for the poor. During the persecutions under the Roman emperors Antoninus Pius or Marcus Aurelius, he was arrested for his faith, beaten, and subjected to cruel trials. Legend recounts that he and his companions were even forced into a blazing stove, yet by God’s protection they emerged unharmed. Imprisoned again, Constantius converted his guards, who then helped set him free. Seeking refuge with a Christian named Anastasius, he was soon captured once more. After further torture in prisons at Assisi and Spello, Constantius and Anastasius were beheaded near Foligno, sealing their witness with martyrdom. Honored as a patron of Perugia and of the Nave district, Saint Constantius is celebrated on January 29.

Saint Valerius II of Saragossa was born in Caesaraugusta, today’s Zaragoza in Spain, and served the Church there as bishop from about 290 until his death around 315. A gentle shepherd—remembered as somewhat timid and hindered by a speech impediment—he nonetheless guided his flock with fidelity in a difficult age. He took part in the Council of Elvira, helping to strengthen Christian life and discipline in the early Church. Recognizing the needs of his people, he ordained Saint Vincent of Saragossa as a deacon and entrusted him with preaching, so that Vincent often became his public voice. During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, Valerius and Vincent suffered imprisonment. Valerius was held captive in Valencia and later banished to Enetum near Barbastro, where he endured exile for Christ before dying in peace. Venerated especially in Zaragoza, he is patron of the city, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zaragoza, and also of Lu, Lu e Cuccaro Monferrato, and Occimiano. His feast day is January 29.