More about Mary Ward

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".

Alert to the needs of our time and with Mary Ward's breadth of vision, we serve in a wide variety of ministries. Around the world you will find us serving in schools, social service centers, shelters for the abused and homeless, retreat and spiritual life centers, rural and urban parishes, as development workers, as prison chaplains, as home visitors, as spiritual caregivers for persons with HIV/AIDS, in advocacy and lobbying at the local/national levels and the United Nations, and wherever contemporary needs arise.

We have as our inspiration and inheritance the vision of Mary Ward. At the heart of our spirituality is relationship with Jesus. Like Jesus we desire to be in tune with God through prayer and reflection on daily experience.

This calls for Freedom:

- From all earthly things (use, not abuse of creation)
- For application to good works (in the service of others)
- To refer all to God (tuned in to God)

This calls for Justice -- living in right relationship:

- With God
- With myself
- With others
- With planet earth

A life of Integrity is one of sincerity, without masks or pretence. Joy overflows from the heart of women who are free, just and sincere. As we seek to be women of freedom, justice, and integrity, we reflect on daily experience. We ask: Is God in the happenings and relationships of today? This is summed up in the insight of St. Ignatius of Loyola as “finding God in all things”.