ST. URSULA, ORDER OF
(OSU) 1882
The Ursuline order was founded at Brescia, Italy by St. Angela Merici (1470-1540) in 1535 for the education of young girls, rich and poor. St. Angela desired to follow the religious life without enclosure. However the Company of St. Ursula did not receive approval as a definite religious community till four years after St. Angela’s death with the result the Order was obliged to become enclosed.¹
Because of Bismarck’s Kulturkampf against the Catholic Church in Germany a group of Ursulines from Duderstadt, Hanover, were forced to emigrate. They found a home in Greenwich, London in 1877. It is from there that Bishop Torreggiani of Armidale was able to secure their willingness to come to Australia in order to continue for what the Ursuline were renowned; education.
From Greenwich ten professed members arrived at Armidale in 1882. ² With much local support from priests and people the Ursulines were able to offer a very fine education including German and French languages, and music.
The Ursulines of Armidale did not become a member of the Roman Union until 1945.³
The list of Ursulines who served in Australia is not as accurate as one would like owing to problems over verification.
¹
Murphy p.123²
`Jubilee Echoes’. St. Ursula’s College. Armidale 1932³
MacGinley p.213
Further Suggested Reading:
Anonymous Jubilee Echoes St. Ursula’s College, Armidale 1932
Kneipp, Pauline This land of promise: Ursuline Order in Australia 1882-1982 Armidale: University of New England,
Gould, Mary Dorothea Bridge still rumbles: the Macedon story Sydney: Ursulines, 1982
Griffin, Assumpta Seed is sown: memoirs of Ursuline Convent, Duporth Brisbane: Ursulines, 1982
Hussey, Marie In simplicity of heart: Guyra, the Ursuline years, 1919-1969 Lyneham ACT: Ursulines, 1983
Newbury, Dorothy Welcome the future: history of the Ursulines in Ashbury Sydney: Ursulines, 1981
O’Dwyer, Mary Rose St. Angela’s by the sea, 1917-1951: the Ursulines at Tweed Heads Croydon Park NSW: Ursulines,1983
O’Sullivan, Mary From Garda to Garden City: 50 years Ursuline presence in Toowoomba: Ursulines, 1980
Toowoomba.
Ord, Mary Joan Bridge and a resting place: the Ursulines at Dutton Park Toowoomba: Ursulines, 1982
Sheehan, Ursula Green pastures: history of the Ursulines in Kingsgrove Sydney: Ursulines, 1982
Murphy, J.N. Terra Incognita or the Convents of the United Kingdom. London: Burns & Oates 1876
If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:
The Archivist
Ursulines of the Roman Union
P.O. Box 272
CROYDON PARK NSW 2133
In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.
Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or Congregation.