As Ursulines this week in November is filled with days of celebrations, moments of remembering, of prayer and of uniting together as one – the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula.
We begin tomorrow, Monday 25th November when on the Feast of Saint Catherine of Alexandria we recall the moment when Angela Merici called together the first 28 women with whom she had been meeting and praying with and preparing for this occasion when they would sign the Book of the Company in Brescia, Italy so forming the Company of Saint Ursula. Over time as we know Ursuline life has faced the many twists and turns of the road but despite all the history, the movement to new places, to new ways of Ursuline life we remain united in the spirit and vision of Angela Merici. On this day as we celebrate we remember all who have walked the path of Ursuline life before us and give thanks for the rich legacy they have handed on to us.
On Thursday of this week, 28th November, we recall the coming together of 62 independent Ursuline monasteries in 1900 to form the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula. It is a day to give thanks for the courage of these women who gave up much knowing that they would be stronger together going forward. Over time other monasteries and groupings of Ursulines have joined this Union including ourselves, the sisters of Ireland and Wales, who joined in 2018. While we are growing into life as part of the Roman Union we know that we too are stronger as part of this group as we face into a future still unfolding for us.
On Friday 29th November we mark the day in 1900 when the sisters came together for the first General Chapter of the newly formed Roman Union. This year our delegate sisters gathered in Rome in September to discuss a revision of the Constitutions. We pray for this process as it continues and for ourselves as we seek to continue to live the vision of Angela Merici today.
So as we walk through these days let us remember, let us pray and let us celebrate all that we are as individuals, as communities, as Provinces, as the Roman Union and as members of the global family of Ursulines. Let us give thanks for the vision of Angela who says: “I am in your midst lending aid to your prayers”.
Karen OSU