Mangalore's Ursulines celebrate 125 years

From time immemorial Catholic religious women or nuns of Mangalore have contributed in a unique way to uplift women, children, sick and weak and many such marginalised people.

It is fitting that a congregation of Catholic women religious of Mangalore is all set to mark the 125 years of their Foundation on April 12, 2012 at Rosario Cathedral in the presence of several dignitaries.

The Mangalore centric Ursuline Franciscan sisters (UFS) was born in the shade of the Rosario Cathedral Bolar on ‘Easter’ on April 10, 1887. The motto of  Ursulines- ‘For the love of God’ gives  focus and direction to its forward momentum.

They have taken up the challenges of educational institutions, social and vocational centers, orphanages, hostels, homes for the elderly, medical support and so on, all over India, parts of Europe and in Africa.

The Theme of the Post Centenary Silver Jubilee ‘make us a rainbow, a sign for a new world’ has inspired and ignited a renewal in the life of this Ursuline Congregation.
 
Historic background

Fr.Urban Stein, (1845-1888) a German Jesuit in February 1879, was appointed as the first resident Parish Priest of Rosario Parish (then covering an area wider than the present MCC limits). From the very start uplifting the downtrodden and the marginalised and to organize efficiently the schools of the area were his aim.

His vision to educate and provide better care for the poor families of the area, was the Foundation of what is today the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation. 

About a dozen of educated women were organised together by Fr Stein, and motivated to work among the children and women in the area. In 1887 the formal ‘Company of St Ursula’ was born and later named Ursuline Sisters and thus Fr Urban Stein SJ  is the rightful Founder. The activist of these ‘Angels of Bundar’ was Nympha Pauline Fernandez, the daughter of a senior revenue official resident in the vicinity of Rosario.

The UFS-Progress

In 1888, FrUrban Stein died and was buried in Rosario and subsequently the responsibility of carrying forward the work fell on ‘Mother Nympha’. She took up the challenges, acquired a piece of land just behind the Rosario Cathedral and constructed a tiled structure in 1901 that is intact today and honoured as the ‘Ursuline Franciscan Congregation - Foundation house’ which serves as a meditation and prayer house  apart from preserving and promoting the memory of the Founder and pioneers of the Congregation. 

Sadly Mother Nympha died on Ash Wednesday 24 February 1909, she is said to have been interred in the Rosario Church just before its renovation. The Congregation passed through difficult times during the world wars, recession and political turmoil, through their prayer and hard work they sailed through rainbows into better times and grew rapidly.  
 
There are several people down the years who have contributed to the development of this order from times past. The 125 years of achievements are true blessings from the Most Highest Almighty, which now manifests as a colourful rainbow embracing the whole universe as the Logo of this Jubilee depicts.