Indonesian Cardinal Urges Ursuline Sisters to Strengthen Mission as Order Marks 490 Years

Dozens of priests, religious sisters, and lay Catholics gathered in Bandung, capital of West Java province, Indonesia, to celebrate the 490th anniversary of the Company of Saint Ursula and the 125th anniversary of the Roman Union of the Order of Saint Ursula.

The festive Mass, presided over by Indonesian Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, alongside Bishop Paulinus Yan Olla of Tanjung Selor Diocese in North Kalimantan and numerous priests, highlighted nearly two centuries of Ursuline service in Indonesia since their arrival on 7 February 1856.

Ursuline prominence in educational field

In his homily, Cardinal Suharyo expressed deep gratitude for God’s guidance throughout the long history of the Ursuline Order and the Roman Union. He described their legacy in Indonesia as “a concrete expression of Christ’s promise to accompany His Church until the end of time.”

The cardinal recalled the sacrifices of the first generation of Ursuline missionaries, including one Dutch nun who died shortly after arriving in Jakarta in 1856 due to a tropical illness, “a painful loss for the early mission to the then ‘Nederlands-Indië’  -the official colonial name of Indonesia,” he noted.

Cardinal Suharyo emphasized that the Ursulines’ endurance and impact, particularly in education, stem from faith, not merely human determination. “To navigate a history this long, willpower alone is not enough. What is needed is the inspiration of faith,” he said, echoing the Ursuline motto Soli Deo Gloria (“To God alone be the glory”).

As the celebration concluded, the community prayed for the sisters, asking that they remain “deeply rooted in Christ and ever more fruitful for the world,” in keeping with this year’s anniversary theme.

Ursulines expand mission to rural Indonesia

The Ursulines in Indonesia are widely recognized for their prominent contributions to education. Well-known institutions include St. Ursula School, St. Theresia School, and St. Maria School in Central Jakarta, as well as several leading Ursuline schools in Surabaya, Malang, Madiun, Solo, and Bandung.

However, the congregation is now shifting attention to underserved regions. Indonesian Provincial Superior Sr. Monika Lita Hasanah OSU announced plans to broaden their educational mission across rural Indonesia and abroad.

Presence in 18 dioceses - and growing

Approaching the 170th anniversary of their arrival in Indonesia in 2026, Sr. Lita Hasanah OSU expressed gratitude for generations of Ursuline sisters whose sacrifices shaped the congregation’s present mission. “We stand where we are because of the dedication of our predecessors,” she said.

The Ursulines currently serve in 18 dioceses across the country and plan to open a new educational institution in the Diocese of Padang, West Sumatra, in 2026.

Recent developments include:

• Sibolga Diocese, North Sumatra – Opening of St. Angela Elementary School on Nias Island.
• Samarinda Archdiocese, East Kalimantan – Establishment of St. Ursula School in Penajam, near Indonesia’s new capital (IKN), partnering with Parahyangan Catholic University to operate a student residence.
• Overseas missions – Indonesian Ursulines now serve in the Dioceses of Dili and Baucau in Timor-Leste, and in the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, Cambodia. Sr. Hasanah herself previously served in Africa.

Religious vocations remain strong in Indonesia

While Ursuline communities in the United States and Europe face declining vocations, the Indonesian province continues to be blessed with new candidates. Still, Sr. Hasanah urged ongoing prayers and support. “We give thanks that vocations in our province remain sufficient,” she said.

“But we continue to ask for prayers from bishops, priests, and families so that we may remain present, and ready to serve, whenever the Church calls.”

Today, the Order of Saint Ursula of the Roman Union is present in 36 countries across 5 continents.

“We offer our gratitude for St. Angela, St. Ursula and her companions, St. Marie of the Incarnation, and the Ursuline martyrs who planted the seeds of love and compassion for young people and women through education, pastoral ministry, and social service. May we, the Ursulines of today, remain faithful and continue to emulate the spirit of our foundress and predecessors,” said Sr. Lita Hasanah OSU.

“We also thank Pope Leo XIII, who unified the Ursulines of the Roman Union from various continents and nations, a moment we commemorate every 28 November since 1900. Praise be to God that we can celebrate this spirit of unity across nations, peoples, and languages for 125 years. May the unity, sisterhood, and solidarity that have grown among the Ursulines of the Roman Union continue to flourish,” added the nun.

“In celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Ursuline Roman Union, we, the Ursulines of the Indonesian Province, began with a retreat led by Ende Archbishop Msgr. Budi Kleden in January 2025. Throughout the year, several communities have carried out social outreach activities and “open house” events for young women,” concluded Sr. Lita Hasanah OSU.