Founder and Origins Named in tribute to Saint Ursula, the Ursulines are a Roman Catholic female religious order devoted to the Catholic education of girls. Basin Street, Gateway to Storyville The first Ursuline Convent ranks with the Cathedral and the Old Saint Louis Cemetery among the most interesting landmarks of New Orleans. 1734 The Convent facing the river was completed. The French nuns who arrived here in 1727 shared their deep Catholic faith, healed the sick and prayed for victory during the Battle of New Orleans. By some accounts, the Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest structure in New Orleans, built between 1748 and 1752. The second consignment of “marriagable” women arrived in Biloxi in 1719, then New Orleans, starting around 1728. Ursuline Convent, New Orleans, extenstive historical content. In all they do, Ursulines strive to fulfill the commitment of St. Angela to peace and reconciliation among peoples in a multicultural society. This was an amazing stop on our visit in New Orleans. Constructed by French Colonial Engineers under the auspices of the crown, the convent was designed in … Please contact Admissions to learn more. We hope in these pages you will experience a taste of our life as an international community of committed religious women, inspired by the charism of our foundress, St Angela Merici, who … Almost as long as there's been a New Orleans, the Ursuline nuns have been a part of it. They treated the sick and were dedicated to the education of young women, regardless of social station or race. The convent and its associated school, Ursuline Academy, moved downriver to a site on Dauphine Street in the 9th Ward in 1824, turning over the original convent to the Bishop of New Orleans. The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, Central Province, are members of a worldwide community whose lives and mission are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus and the spirit of our foundress, St. Angela Merici. Sixteen nuns arrived in New Orleans from France. We invite you to share some insights into our lives as Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. The building was designed by Ignace Nicholas Broutin, the Chief Engineer of Louisiana, and architect Andre de Batz. Archbishop Gregory Aymond blessed the new center, saying they were honoring true Ursuline education tradition that began in 1727 when the first Ursuline nuns brought Catholic education to New Orleans. We are grounded and empowered by our relationships with God and one another, in prayer and community, seeking always to be a compassionate, reconciling presence of God in our world. The building now houses the Archdiocese of New Orleans' Archives as well as operating as a tourist attraction/ museum with public tours available almost daily. From Thomas Jefferson to Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans, 13 July 1804 13 July 1804 To the Soeur Therese de St. Xavier farjon Superior, and the Nuns of the order of St. Ursula at New Orleans Welcome! Most notably, they operate Ursuline Academy on an 11 1/2-acre campus in Uptown New Orleans for about 750 girls, starting with toddlers and continuing through high school. my 8th great grand-aunt was the first Acadian nun to arrive in New Orleans after the great deportation from Nova Scotia and this book is a historical record of that Our story begins sometime around 1727 when King Louis XV of France ordered a group of Ursuline nuns from Rouen to travel to New Orleans and establish a hospital and school for young children. French Baroque Music of New Orleans: Spiritual Songs from the Ursuline Convent (1736). An opportunity to tour one of the oldest buildings in New Orleans -- the former Ursuline convent. Ursulines have responded in the spirit of St. Angela according to current circumstances. The Convent, dating to the early 1750s, is the oldest standing building in New Orleans and a great example of French Colonial architecture. Founded in 1727 by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Ursula, Ursuline Academy of New Orleans enjoys the distinction of being both the oldest, continuously-operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States. Almost 300 years ago, in 1727, the Ursuline nuns arrived in New Orleans at the invitation of Governor Bienville. Your gifts of friendship, financial support, service and prayers allow us to continue serving the needs of God’s people. New Orleans was 10 years old at this time. Come visit the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley and once home to the Ursuline Nuns as a convent, orphanage and school for girls. The Ursulines opened the first monastery in New France and the first school for girls in North America (see Ursuline Monastery). Jan 9, 2021 - The Old Ursuline Convent was erected in 1745 and occupied until 1824 by Ursuline nuns as a convent, orphanage and school for girls. Ursuline, Roman Catholic religious order of women founded at Brescia, Italy, in 1535 by St. Angela Merici. Take a step back in history. We are grateful to all who accompany us on our journey. This is the official App of Ursuline Academy. The Ursuline Sisters Mausoleum is located at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans. We are grounded and empowered by our relationships with God and one another, in prayer and community, seeking always to be a compassionate, reconciling presence of God in our world. New Orleans: Ursuline Sisters of New Orleans, 1993. In addition to maintaining their dedication to their evangelical and educational missions, they stand as a living symbol of New Orleans' deeply Catholic roots. The Ursuline Convent had a series of historic Ursuline convents in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their religious order, which takes its name from Saint Ursula, was founded at Bresica, Italy, The Ursulines were the first Catholic nuns to land in the new world, in Canada in 1639. We journey with those who are marginalized in our society and support the tradition of social justice as a key component of an Ursuline education. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA–The historic Ursuline Academy has a rich history that began with the Ursuline nuns.Three centuries ago, twelve Ursuline sisters … Convinced that the education of women was essential to the development of a civilized, spiritual and just society, the Ursuline Sisters influenced culture and learning in New Orleans … A great stop if you are interested in local church history. The Ursuline spirit is rooted in and draws its nourishment from prayer. We will gladly pray for your intentions. The Old Ursuline Convent at Chartres and Ursuline streets, which was completed in 1751, is recognized as the oldest building in New Orleans. In 1726, nuns from the Ursuline Convent of Rouen (Normandy) went to New Orleans to found a convent, run a hospital, and take care of educating young girls. The Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. It is open on Mondays, whereas other museums are closed. They arrived in 1728.The port of New Orleans bustled with activity; the shouting of men, the stamping hooves of the horses, the scraping of boxes as the ships were unloaded. There, all night long, the Ursuline sisters and New Orleans citizens prayed. For the group of young women aboard the ship, La Nouvelle Orléans was a taste of the forbidden, of the unknown.The women were ushered down the wooden plank onto the soiled ground; to their chest, they each clutched a coffin-shaped cassette, or small chest… The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, Central Province, are members of a worldwide community whose lives and mission are rooted in the Gospel of Jesus and the spirit of our foundress, St. Angela Merici. The Times-Picayune is marking the tricentennial of New Orleans with its ongoing 300 for 300 project, running through 2018 and highlighting the moments and people that connect and inspire us. (The Times-Picayune archive). An illustration depicts the arrival of the Ursuline nuns in New Orleans in 1727. Date of experience: January 2020 There is a beautiful chapel and several small exhibits about the Catholic heritage of New Orleans. Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is an all-girls Catholic private school for early childhood through Grade 12. Today, the series continues with a look at the 1727 arrival in the city of the Ursuline nuns. historic account of the ursuline nuns. It is the oldest continuously operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States. The Old Ursuline Convent was erected in 1745 and occupied until 1824 by Ursuline nuns as a convent, … Learn more about the founding and history of this order. The Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union in the United States are members of a worldwide community whose roots date back to 16th century Italy. The Ursulines have a long history in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. NOW: The Ursuline nuns still maintain a presence in the city they have helped nurture for nearly 300 years. New Orleans: The Historic New Orleans Collection, 2014. As part of an international community, we are able to impact the lives of women on six continents. Original staircase of the Old Ursuline Convent They had a well established presence as a hospital by the time of the US Revolutionary War. The first Ursuline nuns arrive in New Orleans in 1727 and build what is now the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley Ursuline nuns from Rouen, France, arrived in New Orleans in 1727. On July 17, 1734, the nuns, accompanied by a large group of notables and citizens, processed solemnly to their new quarters in the city's first Eucharistic procession. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. The Old Ursuline Convent at Chartres and Ursuline streets, which was completed in 1751, is recognized as the oldest building in New Orleans. In 1912 the convent moved uptown to State Street. While awaiting the completion of their convent in 1734, the Ursuline nuns established a school and an orphanage. Lemmon, Alfred E., ed. The Old Ursuline Convent located in the historic French Quarter has been part of the history of New Orleans almost since its founding three centuries ago. This historic building is now home to … THEN: Nine years after New Orleans' founding, 12 Ursuline nuns arrived in the Crescent City and proceeded to put their stamp on the fledgling city. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. A number of these women moved to New Orleans as part of a migration to the larger city over time. The Ursuline nuns were a powerful force in the building of New Orleans and they continue in that role today. In July 1727, at the invitation of Governor Bienville, a small contingent of Ursuline nuns arrived in New Orleans after a harrowing five-month voyage from France. The Ursulines arrived in New Orleans in 1727, by 1734 they had a new convent/school/hospital. When the early French settlers in New Orleans called out for "virtuous women," the King of France sent them the Ursuline Nuns. The Old Ursuline Convent is located in the Vieux Carre (New Orleans' French Quarter). Education has long been the hallmark of Ursuline ministries. The Ursuline Sisters Mausoleum is located at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans.