History

   In 1847 Guyana was making history. The

Sisters Annie, Marie, Shelly and Mary Peter work at Marian Academy

first railway on the South American continent was nearing completion in this Colony, only three years after the construction in the United Kingdom of the first “general purpose” iron
railway in the world. In this same century, 1834, slavery was abolished.

 It was to this environment of on-going
development that, in 1847, six Ursuline Sisters and two postulants came to British Guiana, even though their families were,

Sisters Leonie,Annie, Mary Peter, Wioletta and Brenda work at St. Ann's

 naturally, alarmed when they heard of this
 dangerous undertaking to a far-off tropical country, and use every  argument to dissuade them. They left the Ursuline
Convent in Athlone, Ireland, at the request of Bishop Hynes,OP, Vicar Apostolic for
British Guiana.

Taking root in Guyana, the
Ursulines grew and extended
our presence to Barbados,
Venezuela and Jamaica.
Jamaica and Barbados are two
Caribbean Islands whereas
Guyana and Venezuela are in
South America. Regretfully on

Sister Barbara with two of the girls from St. Ann's

December 12, 2010 Jamaica
was closed.


On August 8, 1927 Guyana and
two branch houses became
affiliated with the Roman Union.
May 26, 1966 British Guiana became
independent.

Ursuline Sisters, in Guyana, have owned and
directed schools of academic excellence and
high moral and social quality for more than a
hundred and thirty years. In 1976, the
government took complete control of all
education in Guyana, including scores of
Catholic owned and administered schools. In
1992 there was a policy shift and in response to
a strong demand and support from a wide cross
section of society far broader than the Roman
Catholic community, Marian Academy opened
its doors on September 14, 1998 in rented  premises on Carifesta Avenue. From the inception to present an Ursuline Sister is the principal and two other Ursulines teach at this school.

Sister Brenda, Our Provincial and Prioress of Guyana, 

Sister Wioletta and Sister Marie Therese 

at a community workshop.

Sr. Ana Paula, from Brazil, surrounded by her precious three years olds 

who are instrumental in helping her to learn a language foreign to hers!

Sister Sheila at a community workshop.

Sr. Claudiet prepares our students for a weekly visit to various Institutions: The Children’s ward of the Hospital, The Almair Home for the elderly, the Geriatric Hospital for the poor and the Children’s Development centre in Barbados.

Sr. Boguslawa, from Poland, shares her gift

 with students learning to play the flute.  

  Early in 1851, Bishop Hynes was visiting the public hospital and found there, two girls whose mother had just died.  He put them in his carriage and brought them to the Ursuline Sisters.  Thus began a new apostolic venture – St. Ann’s Home.  

Over 115 years ago, Ursuline Sisters started a school in Barbados with six students, growing to ninety students by 1897. In 1908, the Convent moved to the current location in Collymore Rock, and in 1967, the primary and secondary schools were established.

Sr. Teresa Mary - Every year gifts for the poor 

are collected at our Christmas Service 

Sr. Jackie is the Religious Principal 

of Academia Merici.

Collectively known by students, parents and practically anyone in Barbados as "The Convent", the Ursuline Schools of St. Angela's and St. Ursula's have been providing quality education to Barbadian, Caribbean and many International students for many years.


The Ursulines were invited to Venezuela in 1955, by Archbishop Monsignor Rafael Arias Blanco, to establish a bilingual school. Academia Merici is a private Catholic girls’ educational institution founded by the Ursuline Sisters in the vision of St. Angela Merici. Through this vision the young woman empowers her unique gifts in the development of the whole person with justice and respect for all and with a strong sense of community. Merici students are encouraged to have a spirit of lifelong service through its motto SERVIAM, “I will serve”.

In response to the changing needs of the times, we have broadened our ministry to include parish work, chaplaincy, counseling, spiritual direction.
We are proud of our rich history and heritage and are committed to the challenges of the present, and hopeful about building the future.  Engaging society through service and faithful to our mission in the church, we collaborate with like-minded men and women to extend the ministry of Jesus in our times.

In particular, we strive to fulfill the commitment of St. Angela to peace and reconciliation among peoples in a multicultural society.  We are present in the territories of our province as passionately committed women religious sharing life as daughters of Angela and being open to God’s spirit in responding to the needs of our people, especially women in new and creative ways.

Sr. Valerie prepares a meal for the community.

Sr. Mary Bernard at a vocation exhibition