Celebrating Our Roots

 

Yesterday, Ursuline Sisters, Associates, colleagues, and friends are celebrated St. Angela Merici’s foundation of the Company of St. Ursula in 1535. On November 25, 1535, Angela Merici with 28 of her followers attended Mass and then signed their name (or made their mark) in the Book of the Company of St. Ursula.  This simple ceremony was the beginning of a legacy that has lasted 488 years. As we celebrate this 488th anniversary, we recommit ourselves to bringing the spirit of St. Angela to our church and our world and to living her words to us: “Act, move, believe, strive, hope, cry out to God with all your heart, for without doubt you will see marvelous things if you direct everything to the praise and glory of God and the good of others.”

On Tuesday, November 28^th we commemorate the foundation of the Roman Union.  In 1900, Pope Leo XIII expressed the wish to see all the Ursulines united under the authority of one Superior General living in Rome. A consultation was sent to all the Ursulines and to all the bishops concerned. The questions, correspondence, support and even the objections led to the convocation of a General Assembly in Rome on November 15, 1900. The 71 superiors and delegates discussed and voted the plan for a General Government. Sixth-two of the monasteries joined the Union. The verbal approval of the Holy Father on November 28, 1900 was followed by the opening of the first General Chapter of the Roman Union, and the election of Mother Marie de Saint Julien Aubry as Prioress General, as well as the election of four Councilors : German, American (USA), French and Italian.

Then the work of organization of the Roman Union began – the name was chosen to assert its international character from the very beginning, compared to other national unions. In 1900, this Union included 62 monasteries from diverse continents.  The Roman Union continues to live out the charism of St. Angela.