About the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville

The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville are an apostolic religious congregation of women religious in the Roman Catholic Church who, in the spirit of Vatican II, follow a life of consecration and prayer united with good works.

The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville have a rich history that has its beginnings in Straubing, Germany. Three Ursuline Sisters from Straubing established our Louisville foundation in 1858. Today, we minister in Kentucky and in Peru, in South America.

Click on the map below on the right to enlarge.

Click here for a timeline of significant dates in Ursuline Sisters’ history.

Our Charism and Corporate Ministry

The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville are rooted in the spirit and tradition of Saint Angela Merici and are committed to a life of prayer and community and participation in the teaching mission of the Church.

The charism of Saint Angela Merici and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville is a contemplative love of God and a resulting openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others.

Teaching Christian living is the corporate ministry of the Ursuline Sisters. This ministry, cutting across socio-economic, racial and national boundaries, assists women, men and children to live more fully and to develop a personal relationship with God.

“Soli Deo Gloria” (Be glory to the only God)

This symbol is worn only by Ursuline Sisters of Louisville either on a chain or as a lapel pin. Created by the late Sister Brigid Kirn, OSU and selected by the Sisters from among 16 potential designs, it was adopted in January 1976 to replace the habit (regulation dress for the Sisters).

The cross was chosen as the basic structure because it is a universally recognized sign of Jesus Christ. The flames, signifying consuming love, are the work of the late Sister Benedicta O’Connor, OSU. The words, “Soli Deo Gloria,” are translated by the Louisville Ursuline Sisters as “Be glory to the only God.” These words may be traced back to 1776 as the motto of Ursuline Sisters.

Our History

The first Ursulines in Louisville, Kentucky

The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville began their ministry in Kentucky in 1858 when three sisters from Straubing, Germany, led by Mother Salesia Reitmeier, answered a call to teach the children of German-American immigrants at St. Martin of Tours School in Louisville. Within two weeks of their arrival, the sisters were teaching 50 students with plans for constructing a convent and boarding/day school on Chestnut Street near Shelby. The building was completed in 1859 and was named Ursuline Academy. The new school for girls offered classes from elementary through the twelfth grade.

Soon, the Louisville Ursulines were asked to operate and staff other schools. They established Sacred Heart Academy in 1877 on Workhouse Road (now Lexington Road) and by 1881, 20 schools were in the care of the growing community of 108 sisters. In addition to schools in Kentucky; since 1858 the Ursulines have also served in 30 other states and Peru, South America.

In 1917, the Sisters completed construction of their new Motherhouse on what was to become the Ursuline Campus on Lexington Road.

 

Pupils of the Sacred Heart Academy, 1919

By the late 1950s, the Ursuline Sisters had staffed or were staffing 23 parochial schools in the Louisville area, as well as schools in other states. They owned and operated in Louisville Ursuline College, Ursuline Academy, Sacred Heart Academy, Sacred Heart Model School, Angela Merici High School, and the Ursuline Speech Clinic.

When Vatican Council II (1963-65) issued its challenge of renewal, the Ursulines responded promptly, involving all the Sisters in the renewal effort. The challenge resulted in revitalized prayer, diversified community living, restructured government, greater community participation and new forms of teaching Christian living. The Ursulines now experience living closer to the form of life established by Saint Angela Merici in 1535.

Today’s ministries and interests reflect the rich diversity and legacy of service as put forth by the Ursuline foundress, Saint Angela Merici. They include social services, education, healthcare, parish/pastoral/spirituality/cross cultural ministries, presence and prayer.