As a Sister for over 30 years, these are some of the questions
that I have been asked. Maybe they are some of your own questions.
Isn’t it hard not being married and having
your own children?
Why do some Sisters wear habits and others don’t?
What are the ways that the Ursulines minister?
Can you choose your own job?
How often can you visit your family and friends?
What type of educational expectations do you have
of members?
Do you have to be a virgin to consider becoming
a Sister?
What kinds of women are thinking about joining
the Ursuline Sisters?
How will you help me as I am discerning?
What do I do if I want to learn more about the
Ursuline Sisters?
Are there other questions that you are wondering
about?
Isn’t it hard not being married and having your
own children?
I believe that I have grown and continue to grow in my understanding
of my vow of consecrated chastity. My vow is one to love non-possessively,
deeply and freely. There are times when I am more emotionally
aware of the choice that I have made. This awareness is not
one of regret but simply an awareness that I continue to grow
into the vow I made.
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Why do some Sisters wear habits and others don’t?
It is very important to be able to be recognized as a Sister.
Some Sisters prefer to wear the habit, which derived from peasant
dress many centuries ago. Others prefer to be recognizable as
a sister through simple dress and a crucifix or symbol of their
religious community.
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What are the ways that the Ursulines minister?
We are impelled by the mission of Jesus and the spirit of St.
Angela to respond to the most urgent needs of our times in a
variety of ministries. We can often be found in educational
and pastoral ministry, as well as in other works that allow
us to be in solidarity with the poor both in the United
States as well as internationally.
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Can you choose your own job?
We believe in a very active type of obedience that allows us
to match the needs of those we serve with the Sister’s
gifts and talents. Sometimes the individual initiates a ministry
change. At other times, we respond to requests from our leadership
team. We are sent to our ministry by our province leadership
in the name of the community.
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How often can you visit your family and friends?
It is always a challenge to balance our responsibilities to
our prayer, ministry, community, our vow of poverty and our
desire to spend time with family and friends. Visits are typically
shorter and more frequent when we live close to our family.
When we live at a distance, our visits are less frequent but
are longer.
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What type of educational expectations do you have of
members?
Because God’s people deserve the best service that we
can offer, we need to be fully prepared for our chosen ministry.
We would expect at least high school education with the willingness
and capacity to engage in further education.
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Do you have to be a virgin to consider becoming a Sister?
No, a woman is not required to be a virgin before becoming a
Sister. She would, however, need to demonstrate that she is
able to live healthily and happily as a celibate woman for two
years prior to serious consideration of entrance.
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What kinds of women are thinking about joining the
Ursuline Sisters?
Women who are drawn to us share some of these characteristics:
- participates in her parish or campus ministry and has an
active prayer life
- has a good sense of humor and relates well with peers and
communicates effectively
- demonstrates a healthy self-concept, relates well to both
men and women and is inclusive in her relationships
- has the desire and ability to live simply
- relates well with authority, can make decisions and is
open to the Holy Spirit working in her life
- is actively involved in some type of ministry
- enjoys the multi-cultural reality of our world.
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How will you help me as I am discerning?
Both Sr. Susan and Sr. Regina Marie are ready to assist you
in any way that will be helpful to you. Typically this could
be through:
- phone calls, e-mail or personal visits
- Angela Alive articles are posted every
4-6 weeks on the website. Ursuline Sisters reflect on various
aspects of our life in these articles. They can also be mailed
to those who prefer
- discernment retreat weekends
- annual Ursuline Life Gathering held in Crystal City for
4 days during the summer.
- visit to some of our communities
- conversation with other women who are considering the choice
of Ursuline life.
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What do I do if I want to learn more about the Ursuline
Sisters?
Send an e-mail or phone and we will be in touch.
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Are there other questions that you are wondering about?
Feel free to email us at:
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