Mary Ward - 1585 -1645

Mary Ward lived in a time of civil unrest, when changing religious allegiances divided families and society in England.

Convinced that she was drawn to some form of life devoted to God and neighbour, she pioneered a new way for religious women. The prevailing opinion in the church at that time was that women could live an enclosed religious life or marry, but they were incapable of active service. Mary believed God was asking her to set up a female version of the Jesuits, a venture neither the Jesuits nor the church authorities believed possible.

Mary and her early companions, through a long period of trial and reflection, sought to show that women could educate, explain the faith , bring sinners back to the love of God and support people in crises of faith, In her time, educating women was seen as extraordinary. In response to calls from civil leaders, she established schools for girls across Europe, travelling by foot and often living in direst poverty. She also sent her women back into England to work under cover with Catholic families there.

Her prayer journals show the importance she placed on reflecting on experience and indicate a warm and loving relationship with God, whom she often addressed as "Parent of parents and Friend of friends" Mary believed her companions and followers were called to live a life imbued with "freedom, justice and sincerity".

"Mary presented to the Holy See a plan for an independent order of women, following the Jesuit rule, placed at the service of the Pope through a special vow of obedience, ready to perform any work he might require." [1] The church leaders of the day were unnerved by her vision, which confounded their expectations of women. They used the power of the church to condemn her and her works and disbanded the fledgling order. Mary continued to pray for them and to trust that if this work was of God, God would ensure it prospered. She remained convinced that " women in time to come will do much". She died in York in 1645, urging her companions to trust in their vocation and let it be "constant, efficacious and loving".

Her companions persevered in their lifestyle and works and other women continued to find Mary's vision inspiring, until finally the authorities had to admit that this was a way of discipleship blessed by God. It was not until the twentieth century that Mary Ward herself was recognised in any way by Church Authority.

Her followers today work in every continent and try to live by her ideals, promoting the gifts of women in "freedom, justice and sincerity", in a way of life that places emphasis on reflection and action, to serve the gospel "wherever the need is greatest".

See Mary Ward's Institute The Struggle for Identity by Mary Wright IBVM Sydney, Crossing Press, 1997, Page 23.