Ursulines of the Roman Union

Our Life Together

	Company of St Ursula Women in Angela's time had no freedom of choice whatsoever regarding their future. The family decided, for marriage or for the monastery. Angela, moved by the Holy Spirit and confident in women's own capability, established another state of life, which later became canonical: that of virgins living in the world as spouses of the Son of God and called to spiritual motherhood. The fact of choosing freely this state of life constituted a big step in the advancement of women. Without being linked by a common activity, the members would nevertheless not be isolated, they belonged to a real family supported by a Rule and placed under the patronage of a virgin martyr. The foundation of the Company of St Ursula took place on 25 November 1535. Ursulines today gather together as companions of Angela.
	Ursulines in Communities As Companies multiplied in Northern Italy and, at the end of the 16th century, began appearing in France, the original form remained essentially unchanged. Then, little by little, Ursulines began living in communities, until historical circumstances, and especially the decrees of the Council of Trent, led them to accept being cloistered. From then on, the Order of St Ursula was composed of autonomous monasteries belonging to one of the great congregations of Ursulines. Though cloistered these daughters of Angela continued faithfully the work of education they had undertaken gradually in response to need. In this form the religious, strengthened by their community life, spread throughout the world.
	Today community is an important aspect of our Ursuline life.

Ursulines of the Roman Union / Ursulines de l'Union Romaine

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