Archangela Girlani

Archangela Girlani, OCarm (born Eleanora Girlani; 1460 – 25 January 1494) was an Italian Carmelite nun who was known for her mystical visions. Pope Pius IX beatified her on 1 October 1864.

Life
Eleanora Girlani was born in 1460 to a noble family of Trino in the Duchy of Savoy. Having been educated by the Benedictines, she had planned to become a Benedictine. 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. Two of her sisters, Francesca Scolastica and Maria, also entered the same community. She made her first vows around 1478. Later she was elected the prioress of her monastery, and in 1492 went on to found a new Carmelite convent in Mantua.

Girlani 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 1495. In 1802 the urn with her remains was transferred to the hospital church of S. Lorenzo in Trino. The Carmelites of the Italian provinces observe an optional memorial of Blessed Archangela on January 29.