Celebrating Sisterhood

Sunday, November 25, is the 483rd anniversary of the foundation of the Ursulines by St. Angela Merici.  This gentle, holy, Italian woman had the courage and “Spirit” to begin a new way for women to give their lives to God while remaining engaged with the people and needs of their day.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday and Foundation Day shortly after, I am mindful of the many Ursulines I’ve encountered in recent months—only a “sampling” of the wonderful sisters who live out Angela’s charism today. Added to this group are the many, many committed colleagues who share Angela’s legacy and spirit with us: co-workers in ministry, associates, alums and friends. We are blessed! Thank you, God, for our long history. Thank you, for the sisterhood we share with so many today!

International renewal group–“tertians”–in Rome

Ursuline Leadership Team, Slovenia

Provincial Chapter, St. Louis

Ursulines around the world

 

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Among the People

I’ve been in Rome to participate in an Ursuline commission at our international “headquarters” which we call the generalate.  It’s been a time of intense work, but life in la bella città provides opportunities for beauty and delight at every turn. Being among ordinary people, whether Ursuline, Italian, or the Universal Church, is always wonderful.

Our commission is made up of 7 Ursulines of 7 different nationalities.  It’s great to see the richness of diverse experiences of Ursuline life lived on various continents.  Language can be a challenge, but we managed well and found that listening together to the Holy Spirit helped us discern the way forward.

Sunday, the 14th, I joined 70,000 others in the piazza of St. Peter’s Basilica for the canonization of Oscar Romero. Romero, assassinated in 1980 while saying Mass in El Salvador, remained among his people, even when his life was threatened.  He said, “If they kill me, I will rise again in the people.  May my blood be a seed of liberty. . . my death for the liberation of my people and a sign of hope in the future.” Pope Francis wore the bloodstained rope belt that Romero had on when he was killed.

The canonization crowd of Salvadorans swelled from minute to minute.  There were others including Italians and Germans who came to honor their own new saints.  We were a visible church, gathered in prayer and celebration, humble, grateful, praying for our precious world and the peace we all desire. Together, we could believe that world communion is possible.  May St. Oscar Romero help us stay alongside one another as signs of hope!

 

 

Spirit That Shines

It was a simple reunion of the Ursuline Summer Volunteer group of 2015.  None of us could believe 3 years had  passed, but memories of that week of service in Laredo, Texas, are vivid and real.  Ursuline alums who had worked side by side with us sisters are now professional women doing amazing things like graphic art, accounting, coaching Ursuline’s varsity volleyball team (they won last night!!), teaching, and grad school (face-timed into our gathering). We are so very proud of each of them.

We gathered after UA’s volleyball game at a local pizza place that allowed for lots of excited conversation and laughter.  We remembered the elderly folks we had served at the senior center in Laredo, and the dear lady who selected one of our volunteers as a perfect “future nun.” We shared photos of a mother and baby who had just arrived across the Mexican border, and the hanging laundry we did to prepare beds for newly arrived immigrants.  We reminisced about shopping for Mexican trinkets and enjoying mariachis who serenaded us.  We even remembered the simple menus we prepared for meals together at the Ursuline house where we stayed.

Last evening was a time to renew friendships that are forged when people reach out together to serve those most in need.  For us steeped in the Ursuline spirit of Serviam, it’s an essential of life that lasts forever.  Even the pizza guy remarked to me when I ordered more food, “there seems to be a  special bond in your group. It’s great to see.”  Yes, it was really shining last night.

 

Celebrate What’s Right

As an alumna of Ursuline Academy of St. Louis, it’s my joy to assist with the Alumnae Board retreat each year.  The theme for the school’s 2018-19 year was the focus of our gathering this week: “Celebrate What’s Right In Our World.” 

Our model, St. Angela, and her attitude toward the world of her day launched our reflection.  Early 16th century Italy was a difficult time, one of war, corruption, chaos and confusion—enough to make anyone despair.  But Angela was bigger than that.  She listened to the Holy Spirit speaking to her in her heart, and decided to do what she could.  Known in her town as a woman of kindness, prayer and peace-making, she gathered 2 dozen young women together and began a new life of consecration to God called Ursuline.  She remained positive and faith-filled: “Persevere faithfully and joyfully”;  “Without doubt, you will see marvelous things”; “I will always be in your midst”.

Taking a fast-forward to TODAY, it was not hard for the group to name what is right in OUR world as women blessed by an Ursuline education.  The flow of ideas and enthusiasm built from one to another. Gratitude was evident, even without saying the word.

I was, as always, in awe at these graduates who are now professional women, wives, mothers, generous, active and committed to a school they love. They want to celebrate what’s right in our world and keep it growing.  Right on!

Until Next Time

Greetings from San Antonio, Texas. Samantha and Priscilla here! We hope everyone had a wonderful and eventful week so far. As this week is coming to an end, we recap on everything we’ve done so far. On our first full day here in San Antonio, we visited the old Ursuline convent and academy which is now an art school. We learned the rich history of the Ursuline sisters!

Everyday we spent about 7 hours in Haven for Hope, where we met wonderful people with outstanding stories. At our time in Haven we met several members, and one person specifically touched our heart, a man who loves art. Our first day at Haven we got to speak to him and view his wonderful art work. We got to know him and understand his reasoning for being in Haven for Hope very well. Sr. Elizabeth introduced us as she was starting her meditating coloring session.  He immediately asked us if we wanted him to draw us something. He indeed has great talent. He is just one of the many gems here at Haven.

On our last day here, we sure ended with a bang! Serving lunch to over 500 of the members that live in Haven is surely something we will never forget. Although, this week was full of memories, compassion, patience, and gratitude, saying goodbye to the wonderful members is something that hit us hard. We hope everyone in Haven finds their way, because with God by our side everything will turn out just fine!