The Old Ursuline Convent is located in the Vieux Carre (New Orleans' French Quarter). You have permission to edit this article. The Ursuline Sisters Mausoleum is located at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans. It was then referred to as the "Archbishop's Palace". Ursuline Convent (French: Couvent des Ursulines) was a series of historic Ursuline convents in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1752 they moved to a new convent/school/hospital authorized by Louis XV which today is a museum. 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. Welcome! NOW: The Ursuline nuns still maintain a presence in the city they have helped nurture for nearly 300 years. It is the oldest continuously operating school for girls and the oldest Catholic school in the United States. Be a part of the history and cultural heritage of the Catholic Church and the city of New Orleans. 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 Convent, dating to the early 1750s, is the oldest standing building in New Orleans and a great example of French Colonial architecture. Please contact Admissions to learn more. 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. An illustration depicts the arrival of the Ursuline nuns in New Orleans in 1727. At the same time, contemporary social conditions call for service directed to unmet social needs. They had a well established presence as a hospital by the time of the US Revolutionary War. The building was designed by Ignace Nicholas Broutin, the Chief Engineer of Louisiana, and architect Andre de Batz. 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 … 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. As part of an international community, we are able to impact the lives of women on six continents. 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 The first Ursuline nuns arrive in New Orleans in 1727 and build what is now the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley The Ursuline Convent had a series of historic Ursuline convents in New Orleans, Louisiana. We will gladly pray for your intentions. Sixteen nuns arrived in New Orleans from France. 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. The second consignment of “marriagable” women arrived in Biloxi in 1719, then New Orleans, starting around 1728. Sources: "Masterless Mistresses: The New Orleans Ursulines and the Development of a New World Society, 1717-1834" and "Voices From an Early American Convent: Marie Madeleine Hachard and the New Orleans Ursulines, 1727-1760," both by Emily Clark; "New Orleans City Guide"; Ursuline Academy; the-american-catholic.com. We invite you to share some insights into our lives as Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. There, all night long, the Ursuline sisters and New Orleans citizens prayed. The Ursulines were the first Catholic nuns to land in the new world, in Canada in 1639. Almost 300 years ago, in 1727, the Ursuline nuns arrived in New Orleans at the invitation of Governor Bienville. A number of these women moved to New Orleans as part of a migration to the larger city over time. Our young women go on to succeed in college and beyond thanks to a challenging and balanced program of academics, arts, athletics, service learning and extracurricular activities. 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. A great stop if you are interested in local church history. Your gifts of friendship, financial support, service and prayers allow us to continue serving the needs of God’s people. An opportunity to tour one of the oldest buildings in New Orleans -- the former Ursuline convent. 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. 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. While awaiting the completion of their convent in 1734, the Ursuline nuns established a school and an orphanage. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA–The historic Ursuline Academy has a rich history that began with the Ursuline nuns.Three centuries ago, twelve Ursuline sisters … We are grateful to all who accompany us on our journey. 1734 The Convent facing the river was completed. New Orleans: The Historic New Orleans Collection, 2014. The Ursulines arrived in New Orleans in 1727, by 1734 they had a new convent/school/hospital. 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 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 Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union in the United States are members of a worldwide community whose roots date back to 16th century Italy. It is the first institute for women dedicated exclusively to the education of girls and is named for St. Ursula, a legendary 4th-century martyr. French Baroque Music of New Orleans: Spiritual Songs from the Ursuline Convent (1736). 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. The Ursuline spirit is rooted in and draws its nourishment from prayer. New Orleans was 10 years old at this time. Ursuline nuns from Rouen, France, arrived in New Orleans in 1727. 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. They treated the sick and were dedicated to the education of young women, regardless of social station or race. Ursulines have responded in the spirit of St. Angela according to current circumstances. 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. This is the official App of Ursuline Academy. Their religious order, which takes its name from Saint Ursula, was founded at Bresica, Italy, Learn more about the founding and history of this order. Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, founded in 1727 and sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters, is a Catholic school for girls offering a strong educational environment from early childhood through a college preparatory secondary program. Almost as long as there's been a New Orleans, the Ursuline nuns have been a part of it. 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. 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. Take a step back in history. They welcomed Acadians after the British banished them from Canada, and they treated American and British forces after the Battle of New Orleans. Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is an all-girls Catholic private school for early childhood through Grade 12. In all they do, Ursulines strive to fulfill the commitment of St. Angela to peace and reconciliation among peoples in a multicultural society. The Ursuline nuns were a powerful force in the building of New Orleans and they continue in that role today. Date of experience: January 2020 When the early French settlers in New Orleans called out for "virtuous women," the King of France sent them the Ursuline Nuns. Original staircase of the Old Ursuline Convent 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. There is a beautiful chapel and several small exhibits about the Catholic heritage of New Orleans. Education has long been the hallmark of Ursuline ministries. 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 at Chartres and Ursuline streets, which was completed in 1751, is recognized as the oldest building in New Orleans. This historic building is now home to … Ursuline, Roman Catholic religious order of women founded at Brescia, Italy, in 1535 by St. Angela Merici. The Ursulines have a long history in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 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. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Advocacy, action and prayer are the hallmarks of our approach. We would love to share something with you about Ursuline life today. In addition to maintaining their dedication to their evangelical and educational missions, they stand as a living symbol of New Orleans' deeply Catholic roots. Today, the series continues with a look at the 1727 arrival in the city of the Ursuline nuns. 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. 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 … By some accounts, the Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest structure in New Orleans, built between 1748 and 1752. It is our face-to-face encounter with the living God. 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