St. Angela Merici & Mary’s True Dignity – Jan 27 – Homily – Fr Matthias

 

Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 27, 2026, exploring the inspiring life of St. Angela Merici, founder of the Ursulines, and unpacks the Gospel where Jesus emphasizes spiritual bonds over family ties, highlighting Mary's profound union with God's will.

In this homily, Father shares the story of St. Angela Merici, who, from a young age, imitated the saints and, after a vision from God, founded the Ursuline order to educate young women in faith. He then explains today's Gospel from Mark, where Jesus' mother and relatives try to reach Him through a crowd. Father clarifies that Jesus' words aren't against Mary but stress that spiritual connections to God are more important than blood ties. He notes that Jesus honors Mary's unique dignity as the Virgin Mother by not allowing her to be seen as ordinary. True devotion to Mary means listening to and doing God's will, just as she did with her fiat.

St. Angela Merici - Founder of Ursulines order - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-angela-merici/
Mark 3:31-35 - Jesus redefines true family - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?31
Luke 1:38 - Mary's fiat to God - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1?38
Catechism of the Catholic Church - Mary's Immaculate Conception - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p2.htm#491
Catechism of the Catholic Church - Spiritual motherhood of Mary - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm#967
Catholic Answers - Mary's Role in Salvation - https://www.catholic.com/tract/mary-mother-of-god

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Angela Merici - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=21
Readings: Tuesday 3rd Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012726.cfm
1st: 2sa 6:12-15, 17-19
Resp: psa 24:7-10
Gsp: mar 3:31-35

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1023&r=1578

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1gaig38_TQ0