Principal’s Message
Welcome to our latest College newsletter.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Ms Elizabeth Denny for overseeing the College during my recent leave.
In this issue, the central focus of my editorial is a reflection on my pilgrimage to retrace the footsteps of Angela Merici, founder of the Company of St Ursula. While there is far too much to share in one piece, I have selected a few highlights that I hope you will enjoy.
In the Footsteps of Angela Merici
I had the privilege to join 35 pilgrims from across the world — Ursuline Sisters, leaders and teachers from Ursuline schools and communities — on a journey to Lake Garda, Brescia and beyond to learn more about St Angela Merici and walk in her footsteps in the places she lived, prayed and led. We visited her home in Desenzano del Garda, the churches she would have attended and Brescia where her mission began. Our shared pilgrimage reminded us that Angela’s vision of faith, education and service is not bound by borders or backgrounds, but continues to inspire communities across continents — including ours here at St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove.
Angela’s Home in Desenzano Del Garda
One of the most moving moments of the pilgrimage was visiting Angela’s family home in Le Grezze, Desenzano del Garda. The house, though simple, still preserves the atmosphere of Angela’s early life. Walking through the rooms, we reflected on her early life and the daily rhythm of prayer and work. Whilst close to Lake Garda, Desenzano is also surrounded by beautiful countryside, vineyards and olive trees. Angela’s words, “Cultivate the vine that is entrusted to you” came alive as we could see the influence for her words in her surroundings. The challenge to us as leaders to take care of the vine and keep it flourishing was no longer just words that we had read in a book. The experience of being in her world, in her house, seeing the vineyards through her eyes was a significant experience for us and we felt the need to live out her vision even more deeply.
One of the most powerful images I have included is that of two Sisters sitting in Angela’s bedroom. She always preferred to sleep on a mat on the floor. Some of the Sisters on the trip were experiencing Desenzano del Garda for the first time, like us, and it is here that many of us felt Angela’s presence. Angela’s words came alive “Do not lose heart… He who called you will not desert you.” Her early life reminds us that holiness often begins in ordinary places — homes, families, and daily routines.
We stayed in the St Angela Merici, Mericianum, a Spirituality Centre in Brodazzo, Desenzano del Garda run by the Ursuline Sisters of St Charles. A place of significance as it is here that St Angela had a vision for a Society of St Ursula. It is a beautiful and tranquil place and these surroundings provided us with an insight into the early life of St Angela.
During the pilgrimage we celebrated Mass in many churches including St Angela’s Parish Church in Desenzano del Garda. In the church is a large and beautiful wooden statue of St Angela.
Brescia and the Company of St Ursula
In 1535, Angela founded the Company of St Ursula in Brescia, in the Church of St Angela Merici (Sant’Afra) where Angela’s remains rest today. Below the large basilica is a smaller church where the original painting of Angela with her Company of women is hung. It is in this small church that Angela would have come to pray and it is here that she gathered her company of women. This was also another powerful moment of our pilgrimage where I felt Angela’s presence and I asked for her intercession for our school community — that we may carry forward her vision of faith, education, courage, loving relationships and service. Angela’s reminder echoed in my heart “Strive to be faithful to that which God has called you.”
The Gift of Pilgrimage Together
What made this pilgrimage especially meaningful was being part of a group of 35 pilgrims from across the world — from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. Though diverse in background, we were united by Angela’s vision and the Ursuline tradition. Our conversations, prayers and shared meals became living examples of Angela’s call to cultivate loving relationships with each other. Walking together reminded us that pilgrimage is not only about places, but about people — discovering God’s presence in community. This global fellowship showed me that Angela’s legacy is alive and vibrant, connecting classrooms, convents and families across continents. From the humble rooms of Angela’s home to the sanctuary where she rests and in the company of pilgrims from around the world, I was reminded that our school is part of a global living tradition.
Our last days were spent in Rome where we were fortunate to gather in St Peter’s Square for an audience with Pope Leo XIV as well as at the Generalate in Rome, the leadership headquarters for the Ursulines.
It is here where we met Sr Sue Flood, the Prioress General of the Ursulines of the Roman Union and Council members. She is the first Australian Sister to hold this position and is also an ex student of our beloved College.
This pilgrimage has been an extraordinary opportunity of inspiration, formation, companionship and renewal. I am very grateful to Sr Kari Hatherell, Provincial Leader of the Australian Ursulines, for providing me with the honour of being one of two Australian delegates to participate.
In this issue, the stories reflect the legacy of Angela Merici’s vision: to cultivate women of faith, service and knowledge that can step into their future making a real difference to the lives of others.
Warm Regards
