Blessed Angelina Di Marsciano

Biography

Blessed Angelina Di Marsciano, also known as Angelina of Montegiove, Angelina of Corbara, and Angelina of Foligno, was born in 1377 at the castle of Monte Giove near Orvieto, Terni, Italy. She was the daughter of the Duke of Marciano and Anna, the daughter of the Count of Corbara. Unfortunately, her mother passed away when Angelina was just 12 years old.

At the age of 15, Angelina was given in an arranged marriage to Giovanni da Terni, the Duke of Civitella. However, even in her young age, she had a strong desire to dedicate her life to God and made a private vow of chastity. Astonishingly, her husband agreed to honor her vow, realizing her deep commitment to a life of purity.

Tragically, Angelina became a widow at the tender age of 17. This unexpected turn of events allowed her to promptly follow her call to religious life and prevented any further arranged marriages. She selflessly renounced her wealth and property, distributing them among the poor and needy.

Impacted by the Franciscan spirit, Angelina became a lay member of the Franciscan Third Order and embarked on a mission to travel throughout the countryside, preaching repentance and the values of chastity. She emphasized the importance of upholding the virtue of chastity in a society where it was frequently disregarded.

Due to her strong emphasis on chastity, Angelina faced false accusations and was falsely charged with preaching the Manichaean heresy, which opposed the institution of marriage. Additionally, she was accused of witchcraft. However, King Ladislas of Naples recognized Angelina's innocence and acquitted her from all charges. Nevertheless, the public disorder she unintentionally caused led to her being banned from the kingdom.

Despite these challenges, Angelina remained resolute in her mission. She relocated to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, Italy, and encountered a divine vision. In this vision, she received instructions to establish a monastery for women tertiaries in Foligno, Italy. With the approval of the local bishop, she founded the cloistered Santa Anna convent in 1397.

The Santa Anna convent was devoted to serving the sick, poor, widows, and orphans. It thrived under Angelina's guidance, leading to the establishment of numerous affiliated convents in various Italian cities. At the time of her death, Angelina oversaw twelve houses of tertiaries, and the influence of her work extended to 135 affiliated convents.

Blessed Angelina Di Marsciano passed away on 14 July 1435 in Foligno, Perugia, Italy, due to natural causes. She was laid to rest in the Franciscan church in Foligno. In 1492, when her tomb was opened, her body was found to be incorrupt. The relics were subsequently enshrined in the church.

Recognizing her holiness and extraordinary dedication to serving the less fortunate, Pope Leo XII beatified Angelina on 8 March 1825, confirming her cultus. Her feast day is celebrated on 14 July, though it appears as 15 July and 21 July on some calendars.

Blessed Angelina Di Marsciano's life serves as an inspiring example of selflessness, devotion to chastity, and tireless service to the marginalized. Her legacy remains alive through the communities she established that continue her charitable work.