Ursula de Jesus - Blog Post


Ursula has a sad story but also somewhat easier story than other slaves.  Reading it made me think about how life could have been if I didn't grow up in the time and place that I did. There is so much opportunity in the Bay Area, while not always easy, I wasn't born into slavery.

Ursula, on the other hand, was born into slavery as her mother was a slave. She was more fortunate than other slaves, being born into a wealthy aristocratic family and by age 8 (my daughter's age), she was sent to live in another home with religious values.

She was definitely a slave, taking care of her owner's personal needs, and cooked, cleaned and took care of those that fell ill. Due to the wealth of her owner, she was able to elevate herself among the other slaves. However, things took a dramatic change, when in 1642, she almost died by falling into a well. Given this event, Ursula decided to change her ways and give up the lavishness of her lifestyle and stopped wearing the nice clothes and filled her empty moments with prayer. 

She decided to wear painful clothes and thorns beneath her hair - this was done to mirror Jesus' suffering. Given this, her owner felt she wasn't giving the attention her owner wanted (Strayer). Along came someone who wanted to purchase Ursala's freedom; however, Ursala stayed in the convent and perform the same duties she did before.

Ursula died in 1666. A nun confirmed she went directly to the Gates of Heaven.

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