Virgin, foundress of the Ursulines, born Desenzano, Italy, 1474; died Brescia, Italy, 1540. At an early age she became a tertiary of Saint Francis. She established a school at Desenzano for the instruction of young girls in religion, and later founded a second school at Brescia. In 1535 she laid the foundation for the Ursuline Order by gathering together twelve religious companions at Brescia. Emblems: ladder, cloak. Canonized, 1807. Relics in church of Saint Afra, Brescia. Feast, Roman Calender, 31 May.