St. Angela Merici was born in Desenzano, Italy in 1474. When she was in her early twenties, she had a vision from God that she was to found an institution dedicated to educating young women. In 1535, she founded the Order of St. Ursula. She died in Brescia, Italy, in 1540. We celebrate St. Angela’s Feast Day on the 27th January. 

St. Ursula was martyred in Cologne in the 1st century whilst on a pilgrimage with 11,000 companions. There is much of St. Ursula’s story that is unknown, but she was St. Angela Merici’s favourite saint.  

Mother Clare was the founding Headteacher of Brentwood Ursuline from 1900 until 1915. We celebrate Foundation Day on the anniversary of the school opening on the 23rd April each year.