Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Ursulines, The A religious order founded by St. Angela de Merici for the sole purpose of educating young girls. It was the first teaching order of women established in the Church, and up to the present date has adhered strictly to the work of its institute. Though convinced of her divinely appointed mission to lay … Continue reading “Ursulines, The”

Ursulines of Quebec, The The Ursuline monastery of Quebec is the oldest institution of learning for women in North America. Its history begins on 1 August, 1639, when its first members landed in Canada, thirty-one years after Champlain had founded Quebec (1608) and only four after his death. The monastery was established by Marie Huyard … Continue reading “Ursulines of Quebec, The”

URSULINES An order of nuns, founded originally by St. Angela, of Brescia, in the year 1537, and so called from St. Ursula, to whom they were dedicated. At first, these religious did not live in community, but abode separately in their fathers’ houses; and their employment was to search for the afflicted, to comfort them; … Continue reading “Ursulines”

Ursula, Saint, and the Eleven Thousand Virgins The history of these celebrated virgins of Cologne rests on ten lines, and these are open to question. This legend, with its countless variants and increasingly fabulous developments, would fill more than a hundred pages. Various characteristics of it were already regarded with suspicion by certain medieval writers, … Continue reading “Ursula, Saint, and the Eleven Thousand Virgins”

Ursula of the Blessed Virgin, Society of the Siste Religious congregation of women founded in 1606 at Döle (then a Spanish possession), France, by the Venerable Anne de Xainctonge (1587-1612). Its aim is twofold: the sanctification of its members by the observance of the vows of religion (simple and perpetual), and the salvation and sanctification … Continue reading “Ursula of the Blessed Virgin, Society of the Siste”

Ursula Benincasa, Venerable (1547 -1618 ) Foundress of the Order of Theatine Nuns , and of the Theatine Hermitesses. Born Naples ; died near Castel Saint Elmo, Italy . Rumors of her visions and ecstasies excited complaint and she was called to Rome and questioned by Gregory XIII, who placed her under the direction of … Continue reading “Ursula Benincasa, Venerable”

Ursula (St.) and The Eleven Thousand Virgins. The legend states that Ursula was the daughter of Theonotus, or Diognetus, of Britain. She was demanded in marriage by a heathen prince named Holofernes, and consented to his demand on condition that he should become a Christian and allow her three years before the marriage in which … Continue reading “Ursula (St.)”

Ursula Ursula, a famous British virgin and martyr, celebrated as having suffered with 11,000 other virgins at Cologne. Her notice in the Roman Martyrology is simple: “At Cologne, the natal day of SS. Ursula and her companions, who, being slain by the Huns for their Christianity and their virginal constancy, terminated their life by martyrdom. … Continue reading “Ursula”

Urstier in Chinese and Persian mythology. There is said to be erected in China, at Miako, in a large pagoda, a statue of a bull entirely of gold. If the reports of the Holland expeditions are true, it is marvelous what a similarity there is in the fable of this bull and that worshipped by … Continue reading “Urstier”

Ursperger Chronicle A history of the world in Latin that begins with the Assyrian King Ninius and extends to the year 1229. At the present day it can hardly be doubted that the chronicle was written by Burchard of Biberach. Burchard was born in the latter half of the twelfth century in Biberach, an imperial … Continue reading “Ursperger Chronicle”