Celebrating St. Ursula

On Friday, October 21st, for the first time in two years we were able to have an in person prayer service for the Feast of St. Ursula.  It was a lovely gathering that in many ways mirrored the original company founded by St. Angela in 1535.  There were about 28 of us present and we gathered in the context of prayer and shared a meal together.  The prayer service we used was prepared by one of our Ursuline sisters from our Central Province and was perfect for the occasion.

The legend of St. Ursula, flourished 4th century, she was the legendary leader of 11 or 11,000 virgins reputedly martyred at Cologne, now in Germany, by the Huns, 4th-century nomadic invaders of southeastern Europe. The story is based on a 4th- or 5th-century inscription from St. Ursula’s Church, Cologne, stating that an ancient basilica had been restored on the site where some holy virgins were killed. Her story was that she was to be married to a pagan ruler and she asked to go on a pilgrimage.  There she met her fate.

Our prayer began with listening to the song Standing on the Shoulders by Earth Mama.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjjKXuceRYQ.  In this song we recall that we stand on the shoulders of the ones who came before us.  During our prayer we were able to name those whose shoulders we stand on.  It was very powerful to listen to the names of those whose shoulders our province stands on.  Our evening concluded with a festive dinner together.

I invite you to listen to the song and think about those whose shoulders you stand on.