Angela of the Cross facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintAngela of the Cross |
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| Virgin | |
| Born | María de los Ángeles Guerrero y González 30 January 1846 Seville, Spain |
| Residence | Seville, Spain |
| Died | 2 March 1932 (aged 86) Seville, Spain |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church (Sisters of the Company of the Cross) |
| Beatified | 5 November 1982, Madrid, Spain, by Pope John Paul II |
| Canonized | 4 May 2003, Madrid, Spain, by Pope John Paul II |
| Major shrine | Convent of the Sisters of the Cross, Calle Santa Ángela de la Cruz, Seville, Spain |
| Feast | 2 March |
| Major works | Founded Sisters of the Company of the Cross |
Angela of the Cross was a special Spanish nun who lived from 1846 to 1932. Her real name was María de los Ángeles Guerrero González. She started a group called the Sisters of the Company of the Cross. This group helps poor people who have been left alone and sick people who have no one to look after them. In 2003, Pope John Paul II declared her a saint.
Contents
Angela's Early Life in Seville
Angela was born in Seville, Spain, on January 30, 1846. She was baptized a few days later as María de los Angeles. Her family was not wealthy. Her father, Francisco Guerrero, worked with wool. Her mother, Josefa González, was a laundress and seamstress.
Angela was one of 14 children, but only six of them grew up. Both her parents worked at a church building called a priory. Angela's schooling was limited, which was common for girls from her background back then. She received her first communion when she was eight. At age 12, she started working in a shoe repair shop. She worked there to help her family earn money until she was 29 years old.
Finding Her Path to Help Others
Angela's boss at the shoe shop, Antonia Maldonado, was a very religious woman. She encouraged her workers to pray and read about the lives of saints. Through Maldonado, Angela met a priest named José Torres y Padilla when she was 16. He became her spiritual guide and helped her understand her faith better.
In 1865, when Angela was 19, she wanted to become a nun. She tried to join the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Seville. However, she was not accepted because her health was not strong enough for the hard work. Her spiritual guide, Father Torres, then told her to help sick people, especially those with cholera. This disease was very common at that time.
Three years later, in 1868, she tried again to become a nun. This time, she applied to the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. Even though she was still not very well, they accepted her. The sisters tried to help her get stronger. But Angela had to leave the convent during her training period. She went back to work in the shoe factory. During this time, she wrote a detailed diary about her spiritual journey. It showed how much she wanted to live a life of service.
Starting a New Religious Group
On August 2, 1875, Angela, who was 29, left the shoe shop for good. Three other women joined her: Josefa de la Peña, who was wealthy, and Juana María Castro and Juana Magadán, who were from poor families like Angela's. Together, they started a new religious community. Father Torres became their director, and Angela was chosen as the leader, called the sister superior.
With money from Josefa de la Peña, they rented a small room in Seville. From there, they began to help the local poor and sick people day and night. At this time, they started wearing a special religious habit. Angela took her religious name, Mother Angela of the Cross.
The new community received official approval on April 5, 1876, from the cardinal archbishop of Seville. In 1877, they opened a second community in Utrera. Later, another one was started in Ayamonte. Father Torres died that same year. His student, José María Alvarez y Delgado, took over as the director. That year, Angela made her final religious vows to God. In total, 23 communities of the new group were founded. Most of them were in western Andalusia and southern Extremadura in Spain.
Her Final Years and Legacy
Angela of the Cross passed away in Seville on March 2, 1932. She was 86 years old. She was buried in the Sisters of the Cross Convent.
Seventy-one years later, on May 4, 2003, her body was moved to Seville Cathedral. This was part of the celebration when she was declared a saint. Her body was shown for a week in a special glass coffin. Then, on May 11, it was returned to the convent.
Becoming a Saint
The journey to becoming a saint has several steps. First, Angela was declared "venerable" on February 12, 1976, by Pope Paul VI. This means she lived a life of great virtue.
Then, she was beatified on November 5, 1982, by Pope John Paul II in Seville. This gave her the title "Blessed."
Finally, she was declared a saint on May 4, 2003, by Pope John Paul II. This special event took place in Plaza de Colón in Madrid.
See also
In Spanish: Ángela de la Cruz para niños
