By Raissa Bugyi, Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation

St. Angela Merici (1474-1540) was a woman of courage, faith, and vision who believed deeply in the dignity of every person and in the power of education, service, and relationship to transform lives.

In 1535, she founded the Company of St. Ursula, planting the seeds of what would become the Ursuline tradition—a legacy of women dedicated to sharing the Gospel through education, faith formation, compassionate service, and care for their communities.

For generations, the Ursuline Sisters have carried St. Angela’s mission forward. Their ministry has touched countless lives through teaching, spiritual formation, leadership, and service, always responding to the needs of the time while remaining rooted in Christ.

For over 100 years, the Ursulines of Prelate have ministered in many locations in Western Canada, as well as Brazil, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Now they are mostly found serving the people of Saskatchewan.

Today, that spirit continues and you are invited to be part of it.

The Ursuline Associates are lay women and men who desire to deepen their connection to Ursuline spirituality and help carry the values and mission of St. Angela into their families, parishes, workplaces, and communities. Associates gather four times each year to build relationships and create opportunities for awareness, faith, and service.

You do not need to be a religious sister to help carry this beautiful legacy forward. St. Angela reminds us that each of us can respond to God’s call in the circumstances of our own lives.

“Associates are Catholic women and men age 21 and older who formally embrace our mission and ministry, which was inspired by founder, St. Angela Merici. These mature individuals intensify their living of the Gospel by sharing their lives through faith and service.” – www.ursulinesistersmission.org

Interested in learning more or becoming an Ursuline Associate?

Contact Sr. Dianne Sehn of the Ursulines of Prelate at osu.secretary@ursulines.ca to learn how to get involved and help continue the Ursuline spirit of faith, courage, service, and hope for generations to come.

Ursuline Heritage of Faith Fund

The Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation is also honoured to share an extraordinary gift from the Ursuline Sisters of Prelate, who have generously entrusted $1 million to the Foundation to establish the Ursuline Heritage of Faith Fund.

The Ursuline Heritage of Faith Fund, made possible through the generosity and enduring legacy of the Ursuline Sisters of Prelate, supports Catholic faith formation, education, and spiritual growth throughout Saskatchewan.

This new grant will strengthen Catholic communities by providing financial assistance to initiatives that nurture faith, encourage life-long learning, develop leadership, and inspire people of all ages to live out the Gospel through prayer, service, and action.

For more information about The Ursuline Heritage of Faith Fund, contact Raissa Bugyi at rbugyi@dscf.ca or (306) 659-5837 or see the website www.dscf.ca (click on “Grants”).

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Catholic Saskatoon News is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa