All Catholic Schools have at their core the living of the Gospel. What distinguishes an Ursuline School?
Traditionally, this difference has been characterized by a particular practice or approach to Pastoral Care. Angela’s approach to Governance resonates strongly with the Gospel of John, chapters 10 and 17. It is a model of governance based on the pastoral image of shepherding – knowing each by name (Jn.10:14), protection (Jn.17:15), unity (Jn.17:11-12).
In the governance of the Company of St Ursula, the role of leaders was to watch over and guard the members of the Company as vigilant shepherds and good servants (Counsels, Prologue, v.6). Members of the Company were to be provided for (Counsels 4:3), defended and protected (Counsels, 7:1) and not one was to be lost (Counsels, 4:6).
This Merician model of pastoral care is a finely nuanced balance between the individual and the common good. The aim of good governance or pastoral care is unity and harmony. This is the common good. The means to this common good is the respect, esteem and dignity of the individual:
“For the more you esteem them, the more you will love them; the more you love them, the more you will care and watch over them. And it will be impossible for you not to cherish them day and night, and to have them all engraved in your heart, one by one, for this is how real love acts and works.” (Counsels, Prologue, vv.10-11).
For Angela, the potential of each one was known only to God. This was the ground for esteem and respect. For the individual, governance was pastoral care and was aimed at encouragement, predominantly through gentleness and kindness, to do one’s best. In the human fulfillment of one’s potential, in a well-grounded esteem and respect of the individual in a climate of love, the common good of harmony and unity would emerge.
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