VOCATIONS

‘Ursuline charism’ draws laity

By Sister Felicitas Drobig, OSU

For some 475 years, women have followed the example and inspiration of St. Angela Merici by joining and ministering with one of the many Ursuline congregations around the world. More recently, St. Angela’s charism is attracting lay people, both women and men, who are choosing to deepen their spirituality by becoming associates.

At this time, the Ursulines of Prelate have approximately 120 associates who live the charism of St. Angela in their everyday lives. But what exactly does it mean to live the charism of St. Angela as an associate?

The Ursulines of Prelate are a congregation of sisters founded in 1919 in Prelate, Sask. They are a branch of the expansive tree of Ursuline congregations rooted in the Company of St. Ursula founded by St. Angela Merici in 1535 in Brescia, Italy. Dear to St. Angela’s heart was the education of the young, especially young girls, and the preservation of family life. St. Angela and her company did, however, minister wherever there was a need. Coupled with her commitment to personal and communal prayer, we would say that her charism was “contemplation in action.”

In the words of some of the Ursuline associates, charism is “a gift or way of looking at life and ministry” (Dolores Crawford). Andy Praksas adds that it “is the characteristic of a person who lovingly and prayerfully lives a way of life which other people can follow.”

The first associates joined the Ursulines of Prelate in 1985. All of the associates had a previous relationship with Ursulines of Prelate and were influenced in various ways by them. Dr. Joel Yelland states that the sisters he met “had characteristics and involvements he greatly admired.” Lorraine Cheke worked with Ursulines and enjoyed visiting the sisters, being with them and getting to know them better. The framework then is a relationship with the sisters. Beyond that, the associates appear to be looking for a “deeper understanding of their faith and to belong to a group who together explore the charism of St. Angela and the Ursulines, and faith and spirituality in general” (Andy Praksas).

To nurture this relationship, the associates and sisters meet several times a year, sometimes for a potluck supper, but also for evenings with various resource people who speak to them on topics of interest to committed Christians.

Lay people who, after a 10-month formation period, want to officially become associates make a public commitment in which they promise that they will:

1. Deepen their commitment to Christ through daily prayer and serving others for the love of God.

2. Support the sisters through prayer and affirmation and assist them, when possible, in their mission.

3. Learn more about St. Angela Merici and help their families grow in faith and love, in keeping with St. Angela’s love for family.

4. Participate in the ministry of the church according to their gifts and circumstances” (from the Associate Commitment Ritual).

Being an associate of the Ursulines of Prelate means that each person’s particular gifts are called forth to be used for the good of God’s people. Associates, as baptized persons, are called to live their commitment concretely in everyday life in their families, workplace, parish involvement and various charitable organizations.

Asked what sustains them as associates, their responses include prayer, community and service. More particularly, one response was that the group kept him grounded, another mentioned that in her retirement she puts her faith into action, and a third said that he is supported by the prayer and care of the group.

Each person expresses uniquely what it means to be an associate, living the charism of St. Angela. No matter what is each person’s reason, in the end, it is all for the glory of God-living contemplation in action.

For more information, see www.ursulines.ca