Song of Songs

The first reading at Mass this morning (Sg 2:8-14) is taken from the lovely Old Testament love songs known as the Song of Songs. These songs express something of the intimate, longing love God has for each one of us; they portray God as the bridegroom and the people of Israel as the bride. Angela was very at home with this metaphor. In the Prologue to her Rule she  describes herself and her companions as brides of the Son of God.

"We are called  to so glorious a life as to be spouses of the Son of God." 

However, this image is not only true of consecrated persons. Every one is called to intimacy with God. This is what the incarnation is all about. The baby in the cradle at Bethlehem cries out aloud how much God wants to be one with us. 

"My beloved lifts up his voice,he says to me,"Come then ,my love,my lovely one,come." (2.10)

Do read more!

Angela and Faith

Last week I was in Lancaster meeting with various groups, among them the Angelinas. The Angelinas are a number of young mothers who meet in our convent to learn more about the spirituality of St Angela and for mutual support and encouragement in their vocation as wives and mothers. One of the pages above tells you more about them.

As we are now in the Year of Faith I spoke about "Angela and Faith".A way of understanding the foundation of Angela's faith is to place yourself, as she invites us, "at the feet of Jesus Christ".It is there we learn how much we are loved by God and it is from this love relationship that our faith and hope and trust in God flows. So Angela is able to say:

"Be joyful and always full of love, and faith and hope in God."

A group of Angelinas

Chapter Prayer Intentions-Australia

On the 3rd of the month we pray for our sisters in Australia. The first Ursulines that went to Australia came from our community in Greenwich. To read more about their story see here

December Mantra

Our December prayer mantra' in preparation for our General Chapter' comes from the Gospel of St John, Chapter 10 verse 10:

"I have come to bring you life, life to the fullest."

Roman Union of the Order of St Ursula

On 28th November 1900, a group of Ursulines, meeting in Rome, established an international union of sisters  known as the Roman Union of the Order of St Ursula. 28 November - is the 112th Anniversary of the Roman Union, To see more click here.  This was in response to an invitation of Pope Leo XIII..At that time religious, who looked to St Angela as their foundress, lived mainly in autonomous convents.The Pope felt it would be to their mutual benefit to be linked together and it was, indeed, in keeping with Angela's dearest wish.In her Last Counsel she wrote:-

"Live in harmony, united together,all of one heart and one will."

Ursuline communities were free to join or not the Roman union.The first English house to join was Greenwich in 1905; it was attached to the Province of the West of France till the English Province was established in 1923. Next year we will be celebrating our 90th birthday! 

The head quarters of the Union is in Rome where our Mother General resides. The current General is Chinese, our first from the far east.Below is a picture of her.

Mother Cecilia

Foundation Day

Four hundred and seventy seven years ago today Angela Merici and twenty eight companions met for Mass in the church of St Afra in Brescia and then gave over their lives to Jesus by signing their names in a book. Thus was born the Company of St Ursula.

Today, daughters of St Angela are found in every continent of the world and number several thousands. From a small mustard seed, as Jesus tells us, can grow a vast tree.

We give thanks to God who has so blest Angela's YES to him.

Foundation of the Company of St Ursula
by an unknown artist

Notice the centrality of  the Holy Spirit. Angela  tells us in her Rule:

"above all...obey the counsels and inspirations which the Holy Spirit 

unceasingly sends into our hearts."

For information about the Company of St Ursula in Lancaster click  here

Election Of the Delegate

Today, the feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, we ask her to pray with us as we prepare  to elect, tomorrow, the sister who will be the delegate from the English Province to the General Chapter.

The sister elected will be accompanied by by our Provincial, Sr Ann-Marie to Rome.. They go, not so much to represent us, as to contribute, on our behalf, to  the good of the whole international family of the Ursulines of the Roman Union. 

There will be sisters coming from every continent to the General Chapter. They will be happy to meet as Angela asked us to do, remembering her promise:

" I shall always be in your midst, helping your prayers."