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Ursulines of Mary Immaculate Piacenza

Blessed M. Brigida Morello

The Congregation of the “Ursulines of Mary Immaculate of Piacenza” was founded by Blessed Brigida Morello of Jesus in 1649 at Piacenza, in Northern Italy. Brigida was a prophet of her times as she responded to the needs of an age where materialism and power had influenced even the Christian doctrine and faith adversely. With a small band of women, moved by the love of God, she pioneered the formal education of women, preparing them to love God and to become true Christian Mothers.

The Charism left by Brigida can be summed up in: “Identification with Christ Crucified and Risen”.

She is always portrayed with a Crucifix in her hand implying that following Jesus Crucified is the only way to holiness. Her Christo-centric spirituality stemmed from her contemplation of the Mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Saviour, from her love of Jesus in the Eucharist and from her tender devotion to Mother Mary, the Immaculate. A precious heritage indeed!

We, as Ursulines, daughters of Blessed Brigida, live our consecration to the Lord and carry out the mission entrusted to us by the Church, living in communities where we find space to pray, think, plan and work in a style of hospitality, reciprocity, mutual caring and on a path of ‘life-long’ learning.

Our Mission as Ursulines of Mary Immaculate, wherever we are, rooted in the inherited Charism, consists of, participation in the mission of the Church, desirous of establishing God’s Kingdom in human society, through the evangelical witness of our life and through the promotion of God’s justice, peace and love for all people.

Today, we identify ourselves with the suffering humanity: the sick, the marginalized, the illiterate, the oppressed and especially with women and children. We give our service through the ministries of education, of healing and in socio-pastoral activities.

Following in the footsteps of the Foundress, who instructed us to take Mary as the perfect model of the spiritual and apostolic life, we imitate Her zeal and eagerness to help our neighbor. (Const. art. 90)

Our Spirituality

Blessed Brigida of Jesus’ spirituality, born of a profound God consciousness, draws inspiration from the Ignatian spirituality, being ‘contemplative in action’. She is always portrayed holding a Crucifix in her hand; in her exhortations to her daughters she never failed to recommend contemplation of Jesus Crucified as the basic characteristic of our spirituality. She used …

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Sr. Vandana Fernandes New Superior General of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate

One of the significant moments of the General Chapter is the election of the new Superior General and Council. The 66th General Chapter elected Rev. Sr. Vandana Fernandes, as the Superior General. She hails from Goa the land of scenic beauty and undaunted faith. She is the 3rd Indian Superior General with an innovative vision …

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66th General Chapter 2021 of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate

The 66th General Chapter of UMIs was held in our Generalate Rome from 22nd September to 8th of October 2021, using computerized and Telematic means with the Theme ‘Awakened to be Sowers of Prophetic Hope’. We celebrated our General Chapter in the most constraining context of the Covid-19 Virus. This sacred event was a powerful …

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Adieu to our beloved Mother Giovanna Alberoni – A great Italian Missionary

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”.t: 25/34 On 18th January 2021, the Lord has called to himself our dearest Mother Giovanna Alberoni to gift her with the crown of eternal life which he has prepared for her from all …

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50 years of grace – of our Superior General Sr. Elvira Mattappally

It was a jubilant morning of great rejoicing and thanksgiving as we, the Generalate community celebrated the golden jubilee of our dearest Sr. Elvira on 15th October 2020. The solemn Eucharistic celebration was officiated by Monsignor Pier Giacomo De Nicolò along with Fr. Graziano Battistella and Fr. Vanni Bortignon. In his homily Monsignor highlighted the …

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