Saturdays 24 October and 7 November 2026
Sisters of Saint Ursula of Sion
To carry small lamps of hope
Consecrated to God and to their brothers and sisters of today, the Ursulines of Sion devote themselves to a mission of education — in Switzerland, in Côte d’Ivoire and in Guinea.
23 – 25 October 2026 · Sérédou
Ten years since the return to Guinea
In 1953 the Ursulines arrived in Guinea. Expelled in 1967, they returned in 2016, to the parish of Sérédou. The Complexe Sainte-Ursule is celebrating ten years of presence, education, training and service.
Where we are
Several nationalities, one congregation.
Sixty sisters, across two continents
From the Mother House in Sion to the communities of Côte d’Ivoire, and as far as the Complexe Sainte-Ursule in Forest Guinea.
Eighteen sisters live here: at the Mother House in Sion, and in small parish communities — Bramois, Montana. Hospitality, catechesis, visits to those living alone, French classes for newcomers.
Thirty-seven sisters have been present since 1969, from Bouaké to Yamoussoukro: teaching, a boarding school for girls, dispensaries, vocational training.
Three sisters returned to Guinea, to Sérédou, in 2016, after a first presence from 1953 to 1967; five live in Guinea today. The Complexe Sainte-Ursule: education, farming, health.
Upcoming events
1 December 2026
Wheelchair handover
18 December 2026
Christmas at the school
Come and see
Some questions are best asked up close.
“To become an Ursuline is to be called to make Jesus Christ known and loved.”
In the Ignatian spirit, the sisters commit themselves to sharing the life of God by sharing the life of the men and women of their time.
Look first
You can look for a long time before saying anything, without announcing anything to anyone. Here, joy is lived in everyday gestures, and the small lamp, the symbol of the congregation, gives light where it is.
Where we come from
A mission received, then passed on: to educate, at school and well beyond.
Since 1884, in Sion
It all begins with Anne de Xainctonge: in Dijon, she watches the boys go to school and thinks of the girls. At twenty-nine, she leaves for Dole.
1606
Anne de Xainctonge founds the Company of Saint Ursula in Dole, from which Sion descends through Fribourg and Brig.
1884
The Company of the Sisters of Saint Ursula of Sion becomes an independent house.
1969
Six pioneers board a ship in Marseille, bound for Abidjan.
2016
Return to Guinea: three sisters open the mission in Sérédou.
Completed projects
In the places where we live and work, practical projects have taken shape: a grain mill, a sewing workshop, a health centre, a training centre.
The Sainte-Ursule farming and training centre of Mount Ziama
The first farming and livestock activities were launched in Sérédou, then grew step by step around crop production, livestock and the processing of produce. The centre trains young people, women and producers.
Vocational training in sewing for young people
In Bouaké, the sisters’ second post in Côte d’Ivoire since 1970, young people were trained in sewing.
Support us
Every gift becomes training, a meal, a dispensary
Gifts are received by the Couvent Ste-Ursule in Sion, and shared between the three countries according to need.
IBAN · Banque Cantonale du ValaisCH95 0076 5000 S018 4410 3