The Institute of
the Blessed Virgin Mary or Loreto Sisters as they are
popularly known, are part of the Irish branch of the religious
order founded by an Englishwoman named Mary Ward in 1609.
Mary Ward desired a
religious life that enabled her to work outside the walls of a
contemplative convent and to educate young women, both unheard of
at that time. Mary Ward lived in a time of civil unrest, when changing
religious allegiances divided families and society in England.
Mary Ward believed that religious women should be ruled by women
and that they should be free to live an apostolic lifestyle,
similar to that led by the Jesuits. Her earliest attempts were
centered on opening schools for your girls throughout Europe, and
later in England even in the midst of persecution. She herself
had to endure excommunication briefly in 1631, closure of her
houses and schools. 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".
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, traveling 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".
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 recognized
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".
1. See Mary Ward's Institute The Struggle for Identity
by Mary Wright IBVM Sydney, Crossing Press, 1997, Page 23.
|
