Celebrating 419 Years of the Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Admin · Published June 16, 2025 · Updated June 16, 2025

By Sr Margaret Mary SU – June 16, 2025, marks the 419th anniversary of the foundation of the Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The congregation expresses immense gratitude for God’s guidance throughout their history.

Their Foundress, Mother Anne de Xainctonge, was a woman of action, deeply committed to empowering and educating others. From her life, the society embraced a profound devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady, a sincere love for prayer, and a firm commitment to active ministry. As they celebrate this Jubilee Year of Hope, they look to the future through their Foundress’s eyes, seeking to continue serving humanity and responding faithfully to contemporary needs.

The Birth Story: A Vision for Girls’ Education

The Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary were founded by Anne de Xainctonge, a French woman born into a prominent, devout Catholic family of lawyers. At home, she learned meditation, Eucharistic adoration, and regular Mass attendance. From her window, she often observed the boys at the Jesuit College opposite their house, receiving a comprehensive education. Inspired, Anne pondered, “What if girls could receive the same?”

In the 16th century, societal norms confined girls primarily to domestic duties, with formal education largely reserved for the wealthy. Yet, Anne felt a deep calling to change this. Convinced she could make a difference, she prayed fervently and discussed her growing desire with her parents and spiritual directors. While her parents were willing to provide resources, Anne felt compelled to start her mission in Dole, rather than her hometown of Dijon.

At the time, France and Spain were in conflict, and Dole, though French, was under Spanish influence, while Dijon was under French control. This made Dole and Dijon enemy territories, posing a challenge to Anne’s vocation. As a loyal subject, her father could not support her establishing a company in “enemy territory.” Anne struggled internally, grappling with God’s call and her father’s expectations, unable to understand why it had to be Dole when Dijon had all the necessary resources. Despite the turmoil, she prayed for clarity and strength.

In 1596, at age 29, during a family dinner discussing parliamentary issues, Anne’s father, noticing her silence, asked for her opinion. Her response angered him. Since Anne had expressed her calling to begin work in Dole, her father viewed her as rebellious for wanting to start God’s work in an enemy state. In his anger, he declared, “As for you, Mademoiselle, you may consider yourself free to leave my house whenever you please. Go to the Spaniards, since you share the sentiments of the enemies of our King.” (Anne de Xainctonge Her Life and Spirituality:86).

Praying for Divine Support

To Anne, this was the long-awaited permission to pursue God’s calling, and she felt no time to waste. She prayed for divine support to overcome obstacles, stating, “My beloved Lord Jesus, help me and give me the strength to break the bonds that until now have kept me away from the place where You are calling me. I am ready to run there, my Adorable Master, but give me Your Support, that I may not stumble nor make any misstep in obeying You.” (Anne de Xainctonge Her Life and Spirituality:88). With God’s guidance, an estate agent and a loyal family helper, Margaret, aided her escape to Dole. Upon arrival, she met Fr Jean Falquestion, SJ, who revealed that a group of women had been praying for someone to guide them in establishing a school for girls. Anne had arrived on the ninth day of their Novena, and Fr Falquestion felt she was the answer to their prayers.

Answering Objections

Life in Dole was not easy. Anne faced intimidation, hunger, and homelessness, even contending with her mother’s attempts (faking sickness) to bring her home. In 1604, she returned to Dijon, where her father had arranged for judges to evaluate her vocation. The objections raised were:

The Church’s Stance on women teaching religion: Anne countered that teaching was not new for women and that her desire was to teach girls everything relevant to their state of life and make them good Christians.
Disregarding the Cloister: Anne explained that Christ Himself was fully active, and all share in His active ministry regardless of gender.
Concerns Over Jesuit Confessors and Directors: She provided examples of nuns who consistently confessed to the same priests without issues, suggesting her daughters could choose their confessors, specifically Jesuits, who would be suitable for their charism of education.

Through her well-explained responses, Anne convinced the judges to approve the founding of an active society for women. The first house of the Ursuline Sisters was the Marenchess Estate, a former gambling and prostitution venue, its transformation into a convent signaling the start of a powerful mission.

Another major hurdle was obtaining parliamentary approval. With the help of a supportive lawyer who possessed a papal bull from Pope Clement VIII, Anne received the necessary permission.

Confirming a Name

Initially, Mother Anne wished the society to be called the Company of Mary. However, to avoid a lengthy approval process for a new name, she was advised to use the “Ursuline” name, as Saint Ursula is a patroness of education, and an Ursuline Rule was already approved.

On June 16, 1606, the feast day of Saints Ferreol and Ferjeux, Dean Boutechoux officially recognised Mother Anne and her companions as a constituted religious congregation, the Society of St Ursula. In 1902, the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary was added to their title, distinguishing them from cloistered Ursulines, thus becoming the Ursuline Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This, though after Mother Anne’s lifetime, is believed to fulfil her desire, perhaps through Pope Leo XIII.

From humble beginnings, the Ursuline Sisters flourished in education and the empowerment of women and girls, spreading their mission across the globe to Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Today, they honour their Foundress’s vision and remain committed to empowering and uplifting those they serve, moving forward with hope and purpose.

Our Identity and Mission

Motto: “Mihi vivere Christus est…” (“For me to live is Christ and death is my gain” – Philippians 1:21)

Charism: Education

Vision: Salvation of Souls

Mission: “To be all things to all…” Anne de Xainctonge stated, “Our device is that of St Paul: ‘To be all things to all men’ … To be of service to everyone, and especially to those of our own sex, to instruct, to console, to admonish…everywhere to give the example, at every hour to pray for the conversion and perfection of soul…that is the métier of the Ursules…”