God's other plans

Today is the feast of yet another one who was thwarted in her desire to become a Carmelite, St Angela of the Cross (1846 – 1932), foundress of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross, a religious institute dedicated to helping the abandoned poor and the ill with no one to care for them. She was born in Seville and at the age of 12 had to go and work in a shoe repair shop as her family were so poor. Guerrero's supervisor at the shop was Antonia Maldonado, a devout lady who encouraged her employees to pray together, recite the rosary, and read about the lives of saints.  In 1865 Guerrero applied to enter the convent of the Discalced Carmelite nuns in Seville as a lay sister. Her application, however, was denied because the state of her health seemed inadequate for the heavy physical work demanded of those members of the monastic community. Her near contemporary St Bernadette (1844-1879), who had hoped to become a Carmelite, had a similar experience.  Angela was then advised by Torres to start work among the ill. Three years later, in 1868, she applied again to enter consecrated life, this time to the Daughters of Charity in Seville and, although still not well, she was accepted. The sisters attempted to nurse her to full health, sending her to Valencia to recover, but Guerrero finally had to leave the convent during her novitiate and returned to work. During this time she kept a detailed spiritual diary which revealed the style and life ideals that she felt called to live.  She founded The Sisters of the Company of the Cross in 1875 and there were twenty-three communities in Southern Spain by the time she died.  Poor health, so often an understandable cause of frustration, can be an instrument of Divine Providence to divert us from our chosen path.

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Marie

Illness:  Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

RIP Connor Calleja (20 yrs old, funeral 25 Feb)