Giving Thanks for Our Time at the Generalate on Via Nomentana 236

30/10/2025

On October 5, 2025, something special happened at the Generalate—a heartfelt celebration of gratitude. We gathered to thank God and one another for the 93 years the Ursulines of the Roman Union have called Via Nomentana 236 their home.

The General Council, the Generalate Community, and the Novitiate were all part of this meaningful event. We also welcomed representatives of the student sisters from India who live with us, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who regularly celebrate Mass in our chapel, and many of our current and former employees. We especially wanted to thank them for their dedication and for helping shape the daily life and work of our community over the years.

We began with a Mass of thanksgiving. Fr. Fernando Clemente Santos presided, and Fr. Chris Chaplin gave the homily. He reminded us:

“The construction of this grand building took five years—from 1928 to 1933. Today we gather with grateful hearts to give thanks to God for the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, who since 1932 have made their home here on Via Nomentana and given their name to the nearby street, Via S. Angela Merici, and the local church.
Ninety-three years (almost 100!) of faithfulness, prayer, education, formation, and leadership—what a remarkable gift!
The Ursuline Sisters, rooted here since 1932, have lived through times of silence and trial—wars, upheavals, and changes in both Church and society. Yet through it all, they remained faithful. Their story is a living testimony that God’s vision unfolds in God’s time, and that to ‘live by faith’ means trusting that God is at work, even in hidden ways.”

After Mass, we enjoyed an aperitivo and dinner together—full of warm conversations and shared memories. 

Before dessert, Sr. Susan Flood osu, our Prioress General, shared an important reflection on the significance of this celebration. She spoke of the gratitude that unites us and the hope that guides us as we move toward a new future. Each participant received a special gift: a notebook featuring an image of the house.

The final part of the gathering was a touching invitation to revisit our shared memories. The community prepared a presentation titled “Album of Memories”, compiled by Sr. Maria Małgorzata Woźniakowska with contributions from everyone of community. For the Novitiate, two presentations were shown: a film by Sr. Anka Kogelnik capturing the early years of the Novitiate in Rome, and another by the Novices of Sr. Florence-Marie Le Garrec, highlighting the years since she became Novice Directress.

The Indian Sisters also contributed beautifully. Sr. Francin Chalackal Joseph presented a film from the Sisters of the Destitute (SD) congregation, featuring testimonies from many sisters who lived here since around 1974—over 50 years of presence. Sr. Anugraha Maria Vithayathil then shared a moving video prepared by the Sisters of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC), expressing deep gratitude. Their first sister arrived here in 1993.

Many guests remained until the very end to continue sharing stories and memories, and their presence brought us great joy. We truly felt like one family. For some, the sadness of farewell transformed into a profound sense of gratitude for all we have lived together. We are deeply thankful to everyone who joined us for this special day.