Saint Angela Merici was the foundress of the Ursulines and a mystic. She was born on March 21, 1470, at Disenzano, Lombardy, Italy, she was orphaned at age ten. She and her sister went to nearby Salo, where they were raised by her uncle's family with loving care. Her sister died suddenly without the last sacraments, an event that distressed Angela. She then became a Franciscan tertiary (Third Order) and prayed for the repose of her sister's soul. When Angela was 20 years old, her uncle died, and she returned to her home in Disenzano. There she converted her house into a school for teaching local girls the catechism. In a vision, she learned that she was to found a congregation dedicated to the religious training of young women. She started this work by opening a second school is Brescia, Italy. 

In 1524, Angela made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was stricken blind while on the island of Crete. She finished her pilgrimage and returned to Crete, where she regained her sight while in prayer. The following year she went to Rome and was received by Pope Clement VII. The Holy Father asked her to remain in Rome, but she felt compelled to return to Brescia to continue her work. 

On November 25, 1535, Angela laid the foundation of the Ursulines, then called "the Cooperative of St. Ursula." They lived in a small house near St. Afra's Church in Brescia. She served as superior for five years, dying on January 27, 1540. Her body lies in the church of St. Afra, and she is somtimes called St. Angela of Brescia. The Ursulines received papal approval in 1544. St. Angela is especially venerated in Brescia and in Ursuline communities. She is depicted in liturgical art in her Ursuline habit. Her feast day is January 27.