posted on: Monday, September 17, 2018

Sister Paula Kleine-Kracht, OSU spoke at Bellarmine’s teacher induction ceremony Friday evening, Sept 14, 2018 about three individuals whom she hoped would be an inspiration to the inductees: Saint Robert Bellarmine, Thomas Merton and Saint Angela Merici. Their statues are found on the Bellarmine campus. Of the three, Saint Angela Merici is most likely the least well-known to the students and the foundress of the Ursuline Sisters; therefore, Sister Paula went into detail about her life and ministry:

“Saint Angela envisioned a lifestyle for women other than being married or, if unmarriageable, sent to a cloister. She founded the Company of Saint Ursula in 1535 with the idea that living in the world as a single woman was acceptable; and her Company would live freely in the world, committed to prayer and helping others.

In our study of Saint Angela, her life, and her writings, we have come to understand that Saint Angela’s gift to the Church (her charism) was her contemplative love of God and a resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others.

Saint Angela’s approach to life and to service is centered on relationships — both with God and with those in need who were all around her. Over my years in education, I have come to believe that Saint Angela’s approach is central to being an educator — no matter what role you have, how you are involved, where you serve or who you serve. We are always called to focus our service on the other and especially the other ‘in need.’”

For more information, please see article on Bellarmine’s website: Read article >>