In 1918, Poland regains its independence. The country has been devastated by the partitions and the war, but the people are full of joy and eagerness to rebuild their Fatherland. Mother Ursula considers returning to Poland with her community. In 1920 she buys a property in Pniewy near Poznań with the money donated by the Norwegian Consul Stolt-Nielsen. Here, the first house of the Grey Ursulines is built, having as its patron St. Olaf, in gratitude for the help of their Norwegian friends.
In August 1920, Mother Ursula returns to Poland with a group of forty sisters and orphaned children. A new life starts for the community.
The Apostolic See grants permission to transform the Petersburg Community into an apostolic Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus.
Mother formed sisters so that they loved God above all others. She wanted them to live in simplicity and humility, be full of devotion and creative in finding new ways to serve people, especially children and the youth. A smile, serenity and goodness were considered by her a trustworthy testimony to good relationship with Christ. She believed that the testimony had a great impact on the efficacy of evangelization and upbringing. She taught that the sanctity was available to everybody, because it was about fulfilling everyday duties with love to God and fellow people.
She travelled a lot, visited communities and addressed new work proposals. Appreciating a great role of organizations supporting catechisation and religious upbringing, in 1925 she introduced to Poland the Eucharistic Crusade (today: Eucharistic Youth Movement).
Thanks to her initiative, a great deal of books and magazines for children and the youth were published. She was herself an author of many articles. She also took active part in religious, cultural and social life of the country. Her contribution was recognized and rewarded with high-ranking state awards.
Mother Ursula’s death on 29th May, 1939, ended the first stage of the development of the Congregation. At that time there were about 780 sisters in 44 communities in Poland, Italy and France.
