Ursulines Hold International Leadership Conference in Latin America

02/01/2026

 

From August 11th to 15th, 2025, Colégio Santa Úrsula in Ribeirão Preto (SP), Brazil, hosted the 1st Ursuline International Leadership Conference of Latin America, a gathering that brought together lay and religious leaders from the five countries where the Ursulines are present – Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela.

 

 

The objectives were to strengthen the identity of Ursuline Education, promote the sharing of experiences, and deepen the charism founded on SERVIAM (“I will serve”), the legacy of Saint Angela Merici.

The organizing committee was formed by representatives from each country: Rafael Bianchi (Brazil), Julio Aroní (Peru), Andrea Raczynski (Chile), and Edgar Contreras (Venezuela). More than 90 participants attended the event, representing 13 educational institutions.

 

 

The conference was inspired by the Synod on Synodality, the Jubilee Year of 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope, the 125th anniversary of the Roman Union of Ursulines, and the preparation for the 500th anniversary of Saint Angela’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land. In this context, the meeting sought to unite tradition and innovation in the formation of leaders committed to faith, social justice, and care for our Common Home.

At the closing, the organizing committee presented a final message, highlighting two strategic axes that will guide the work from the Conference onward: creating spaces for information, exchange, and collaboration, and promoting continuous formation in the Ursuline charism.

 

Ursulines Hold International Leadership Conference in Latin America