Celebrating 400 Years of Mary Ward

What are we celebrating?

From 2009 to 2011 the two worldwide branches of Mary Ward’s institute, the Loreto Sisters and Congregation of Jesus, will be celebrating 400 since Mary Ward set out on her work. They will rejoice in and honour the vision, courage and commitment of their founder and her legacy of sisters and schools on every continent, hundreds of thousands of students past and present, countless volunteers, colleagues and friends across the globe; and social justice and education missions that serve the vulnerable, disadvantaged and voiceless around the world.

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".

In Australia, Loreto and associated colleges, individuals and communities will be holding events to celebrate and acknowledge Mary Ward’s vision, courage and determination. 

Why are we celebrating over three years?

We are celebrating over three years (2009- 2011) because we celebrate the founding of Mary Ward’s order in 1609 – the year that Mary received her first understanding of her life’s aim and we celebrate Mary’s second foundational experience in 1611 – the year she realised she should take the Society of Jesus as the model of religious life for her group of women.

Mary received a series of foundational experiences – foundational in that the Institute she founded was based on these personal and mystical experiences. From an early age, Mary was sure she wanted to join a religious order. She tried two Poor Clare enclosed convents – one of which she founded, but withdrew from both convinced they were not right for her. She continued her inner quest while working underground with the Catholic community in London, visiting prisons etc. It was in this context in 1609 that Mary received her first understanding of her life’s aim: to be or do something that would give glory to God. This experience is commonly referred to as the “Glory Vision”.

Shortly after this she set sail with her companions to Europe. They lived together in a house In St Omer and opened a school (house-school). In 1611 Mary had her second foundational experience; she understood that God directed her to ‘Take the same as the Society’ i.e. take the Society of Jesus/Jesuits as the model of religious life for her group of women. This insight revealed the means through which she would fulfill her life’s aim – giving glory to God.

However, this insight was also life-changing for another reason. She was condemned by the Catholic Church and her Institute was suppressed. The ‘Take the Same’ vision, as it is referred to, is very significant for the Loreto Sisters. It unnerved the church leaders of the time, however it also articulated what was to become the future norm of religious life for women - and it marks the identity of Loreto women around the world.

For further information about Mary Ward and other significant Mary Ward women such as Mary Teresa Ball and Mary Gonzaga Barry, please visit our History page.

Opening Mass in York Minster

More than 2000 people attended a symbolic Catholic Mass in York Minster, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter, on Thursday 29th January in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Mary Ward’s foundation of the Congregation of Jesus (cj) and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (ibvm). Jane Livesey cj, English Provincial, said, "the Mass at York Minster points to a major shift in the unfolding story of Mary Ward, as well as in the wider story of ecumenism. The bitterness of religious persecution has given way to generosity and reconciliation. Her followers have received the warmest of welcomes at the heart of the Anglican establishment".

In her reflection Gemma Simmonds cj said, “Mary Ward dared to dream the impossible and it came true, though not in her time.”  In her words of thanks Jane Livesey, CJ Provincial, added, “the prophet has at last been honoured in her own country”.

The principal celebrant was his eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor who opened his address by reading cordial greetings from his Holiness Pope Benedict XVI who was himself educated by the Sisters in Bavaria. The message said, “For four hundred years, religious women have drawn inspiration from Mary Ward’s determination and courage, and following her example, they have dedicated themselves to carrying out God’s will through an active apostolic service. Generations of students have cause to be grateful to the sisters for the Christian education they have received, and many more have benefited from the spiritual guidance and the formation of discipleship offered by the ‘English Ladies’. His Holiness prays that, through the inspiration of their foundress, the members of the two Congregations will continue to be ‘fountains of living water in the midst of a thirsting world’ (Deus Caritas Est, 42).

Read Sr Gemma Simmonds' reflection in full.

Read more about the Mass and Mary Ward in an article by Sr Jane Livesey cj

Sourced from and for further information: Congregation of Jesus website