Italian Carmelite Order Virgin

Roman martyrology: In Mantua, city of Lombardy, Blessed Archangela Girlani , virgin of the Order of the Carmelites, prioress of Parma and founder of the monastery of Mantua (1495) .

Beatification date: October 1, 1864 by Pope Pius X.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Archangela Girlani, O.Carm., (1460 – 25 January 1494) was an Italian Carmelite Order nun who was widely known for her mystical visions. Devotion to her has been approved by the Catholic Church, which has recognized her with an equivalent beatification.

She was born Eleanora Girlani in Trino, then in the Duchy of Savoy. Throughout her childhood, 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 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  October 1, 1864 by Pope Pius X.