We, the Ursulines of Cincinnati, are a Catholic community of Christ-centered women transforming lives with compassion and creativity. We pledge to respond to the needs of our times through our diverse ministries and in collaboration with the laity. We will respect the dignity of each individual, nurture their unique gifts, and be present to them as we all seek a deeper and more personal relationship with God.
Our roots go back to 1535 when, in Brescia, Italy, St. Angela Merici began a new kind of religious life for women considered radical in her time. Angela's original vision for her followers was a company of women who chose not to live the traditional form of religious life -- enclosed in a convent and separated from the world. Rather, they lived and worked among the people, combining contemplative prayer with active service to those in need. They transformed society by nurturing the roots of families and the intellectual and spiritual lives of women.
Our spirituality remains rooted in that of our foundress, St. Angela Merici. Angela was a reformer and innovator and left her mark on the history of the church. As the guiding spirit of her religious order, she continues to challenge and motivate women and men to radical Christian living.