Spirituality, Gender, and the Self in Renaissance Italy

"Angela Merici (1474-1540), like other mystic women such as Catherine of Siena, was considered a "santa viva"--A living saint - by virtue of her mysticism, sacred knowledge, human qualities, and participation in civic life. However, Angela's originality and genius reside above all in the foundation of the Company of St. Ursula. It is there that she put her theology into practice and translated her spiritual ideas and experience into a defined model of religious life for women."--Jacket.