Feastday: February 13
Birth: 1460
Death: 1494
Carmelite mystic. She was born in Trino, in northern Italy, in 1460, baptized Eleanor. Though planning to become a Benedictine nun, she was thwarted in her desire by her horse - the animal refused to carry her to the convent. She then became a Carmelite in Parma, Italy, taking the name Archangela, being professed in 1478. Named prioress of the convent, Archangela founded a new Carmel in Mantua. She was gifted with ecstasies and levitation and was reported to have performed miracles. Archangela died on January 25,1494, and her cult was confirmed in 1864.
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Archangela Girlani (1460 – 25 January 1494) - born as Eleanora Girlani - was an Italian Carmelite Order professed religious who was known for her visions. Pope Pius IX confirmed her cultus and beatified her on 1 October 1864.
Life
Eleanora Girlani was born in 1460 to a noble family of Trino, then in the Duchy of Savoy. Having been educated by the Benedictines, she had planned to become a Benedictine nun. However, on her way to the abbey, her horse refused to take her there. Interpreting this a sign, she instead became a Carmelite nun in Parma, and was given the religious name of Archangela. She was professed in 1478.
Girlani was later elected the prioress of her monastery, and went on to found a new Carmelite monastery in Mantua. She is remembered as a mystic who had a special devotion to the Most Holy Trinity, and was reported to have the gifts of ecstasies, and miracles, including levitation.
Widespread devotion and reports of healing arose after her death in 1494. Her cultus was confirmed on 1 October 1864 by Pope Pius IX. Her feast day is celebrated on 13 February.
