Contact: Sunny Mindel/Jennifer Chait 212/788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today proclaimed Wednesday, June 16 as Ursuline Day, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival in New York City of the first of sisters of the Ursuline Order. Founded in 1535 by Saint Angela Merici in Brescia, Italy, the Ursuline Order began a ministry that focused on the improvement of education by adding the teaching of strong moral values to the basic reading, writing and math subjects.
The Mayor was joined by Sister Marguerite Torre-Principal, Nativity B.V.M.; Sister Catherine Talia-Provincial of the United States; Thomas Von Essen, Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department; and Sisters from the Ursuline Order.
"The contributions of the Ursuline Sisters to New York City and other parts of the country are invaluable," the Mayor said. "They opened the Order's first Parish Grade School in a building without running water in Ozone Park in 1924, but this inauspicious beginning did not deter the Ursuline Sisters from fulfilling their mission to provide quality education and moral guidance to local children.
"Since they came to New York City in 1924 the Ursuline Sisters have founded ten more schools in Queens and Brooklyn and have extended their services to five other states, where, in addition to teaching, they also serve at medical, advanced education, children services and community outreach facilities. Their deeds of love and devotion are very much appreciated and I thank the Sisters for their enduring dedication. We are very lucky and proud to have you," the Mayor concluded.
In 1818, Father John Lambertz founded the Ursulines of Tildonk, in Belgium. Inspired by the life or Saint Ursula, Patron Saint of the University of Paris, the Sisters later began missions and schools in India, Africa and Canada.