Ursuline in Westgate - 120 Year Mass
Celebrating 120 Years of the Ursuline Sisters in Westgate-on-Sea (1904–2024)
In 2024, Ursuline College proudly celebrated 120 years of the Ursuline Sisters’ presence in Westgate-on-Sea, a milestone that honours the vision, courage, and faith of the women who built our community.
The Ursuline Order was founded by St Angela Merici in Italy in 1535, as the first Catholic religious order dedicated to the education of girls. Inspired by her vision, a group of French Ursuline Sisters fled persecution in France, bringing their mission of faith, learning, and service to England. They founded Ursuline College in Westgate-on-Sea, creating a place where education, compassion, and spirituality could flourish.
Today, their legacy continues to shape every aspect of our school life. The graves of our Founding Sisters rest in St John’s Cemetery, Margate, and are visited regularly by our students, who pause in gratitude and prayer to thank them for their courage and devotion.
Throughout 2024, we marked this anniversary with a series of celebrations and community events, including a high-profile whole-school Mass attended by the Mayor of Ramsgate, local clergy, and representatives from the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership. Students, staff, alumni, and parish communities came together to give thanks for 120 years of Ursuline education, guided by our motto: “Serviam – I will serve.”
From special assemblies and reflection days to exhibitions of historical artefacts and student-led acts of service, every event honoured the enduring Ursuline spirit of respecting each other, helping each other, and bearing with each other — values that continue to define Ursuline College today.
Catholic Life - 120 Year Mass Pictures
Catholic Life - Celebration Mass Candles
Ursuline Graves - Westgate on Sea
We visited the graves of the French Ursuline Sisters, who founded the school in Westgate-on-Sea 120 years ago.
Fr Joe, our local Parish Priest, blessed the graves of other Ursuline Sisters at Margate Cemetery. The Youth SVP played flowers and read aloud their message of thanks to the Ursuline Sisters. We all recited the Ursuline Prayer.
Some of the Youth SVP had their relatives' graves blessed by Fr Joe, for whom we are very grateful. Please take a look at the photos taken on the day. We hope to make this an annual event, and you are more than welcome to attend if you can.
It was a lovely experience, and unique things to do to celebrate the Ursuline Sisters.
Catholic Life - Ursuline Graves
