Reflecting with Mary Ward
Make time to journey through this beautiful collection of reflections from the writings of Mary Ward (1585-1645). They are followed by prayers specially written to link to each topic in her writings. A new set of prayers and reflections will be uploaded every few months.
"I began to explore Mary Ward's writings with the aim of finding 30 topics from her prayers and writings which could be a useful resource for teachers, students and other interested people to draw from. The prayers after each topic were added later as a means of linking each topic with our contemporary world."
Anne Byrne ibvm
December 2011
3. Fervour means ‘to do ordinary things well.’
Faithfulness in little things.
In speaking about fervour Mary said that for her company it is:
To do ordinary things well, to keep our Constitutions and all other things that be ordinary in every office or employment, whatsoever it be, to do it well. This is for us, and this, by God’s grace will maintain fervour.
They (religious) lost their fervour, because they have been unmindful of this preventing grace which is a gift of God….. because they have been ungrateful for this benefit and have not adhered to the sweetness that they have found in prayer and the content which they have felt in the service of God.
From her maxims:
Remember that he (God) be the end of all your actions, therein you will find great satisfaction and think all things easy and possible.
Faithfulness is not so much to be praised in great as in little things, as we may perceive from the words of our Lord himself, who says in the Gospel, `Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou has been faithful over few things I will place thee over many things, enter into the joy of thy Lord.’ (Mt 25:23)
In our calling, a cheerful mind, a good understanding and a great desire after virtue are necessary, but of all these, a cheerful mind is the most so.
Remain steadfastly in the service of God until the end, and do not trouble where thou wilt close thy life; for it little matters whether it is behind a hedge, or in a ditch, or in thy bed, if only thou art found faithful.
August 2011
2.0 Decisions made with ‘love and freedom.’
The insight Mary had about freedom in prayer came at an early age when she realised that in following practices of prayer which became burdensome and difficult she could not freely express her love of God. Following a book on spiritual perfection called Spiritual Combat by Scupoli she wrote:
After some time of this fervent practice there occurred such a multitude of manners and way of producing virtue, and this with such eagerness, that what at first was easy and pleasing became on a sudden difficult and wearisome, and with the additional scruple that I did not obey good inspirations, not doing all which were presented to my mind as good, and here I found myself in some perplexity, not being inclined to confer on these things with others. The way I went naturally was rather with latitude than strictness. But God compassionated my simplicity and in this anxiety gave me courage to reason in this manner with myself: these things are not of obligation but of devotion and God is not pleased with certain acts made by constraint. To acquire my own quiet therefore I will do these things with love and freedom or leave them alone. This doing, in a short space, my usual peace of mind returned and the easy use of these exercises – an experience which has much helped me since in other occurrences of this nature.
"I will do these things with love and freedom or leave them alone."
In 1605, when Mary knew that God was calling her to the religious state she endured opposition from family and friends and even her confessor, who urged her to marry. She wrote about this time later in her Autobiography (1624) :
Being in some distress for this reason there occurred to my mind that sentence : “Quaerite primum Regnum Dei when suddenly the burden was raised from off me and I had, as one may say, a certainty that if I did my part in embracing the better portion, and preferring before all the honour and service of God, his divine goodness would supply for every deficiency of mine.
She also understood the freedom that comes from the virtue of indifference which is mentioned in the First Principle and Foundation of The Spiritual Exercises, being free from the attachment to earthly things :
It seemed a friendly separation from diverse things of this world, so as they had no part in me nor I in them. I could easily have or want them, see them and not love them, like them and not live in them.
One is ready to do or not to do, yet indifferently resigned to what happens. One seeth the danger of adverse things, but without fear, anxiety or trouble, a quiet confidence that God will do his will…
One is free from all, and desires only one, which is to love God, and here one remains free and contented.
Prayers
Prayer 1
God of freedom, there are times in life when we need to know the difference between the good and the greater good and to choose that which seems more pleasing to you. Mary Ward had special insight and wisdom in knowing the value of freedom in her devotional practices. She said: ”I will do these things with love and freedom or leave them alone.” Let your love be the guiding principle and the driving force of our lives – the love that drives out fear.
Prayer 2
God help me to be aware of your presence today – in my breathing, in my thoughts and how I judge others. If I practice this awareness I can become a more merciful person both towards others and towards myself. May I be able to see the difference between what is really necessary and what is not. In Mary Ward’s words: ‘One is ready to do or not to do, yet indifferently resigned to what happens – free from all and desiring only one, which is to love God, and here one remains free and contented.’
Prayer 3
God our Creator, Mary Ward realized at an early age that there are choices to be made between some practices and others - that God does not call us all on the same path. What is good for one person may be not appropriate for another. May we have a deep respect for the choices that others have made in their manner of worship and way of life and may we make our choices in the freedom of love.
Prayer 4
Jesus, Saviour God, you have said: ‘the truth will set you free’. Help us to face the truth in ourselves and have the courage to recognize when your spirit is calling us to forgive one another. Come to set us free from our prejudices so that we may be agents of healing in a world that is increasingly turning to violence to settle differences. May we be people of peace – peace which begins in our hearts and homes.
June 2011
1.0 Introduction - Mary Ward's discernment of vocation
Amongst her very early experiences was the time Mary spent at her cousins’ house, the Babthorpes, when Margaret Garrett, a servant, used to tell stories to the children of the saints and heroic people. Mary recognised this time later as being very significant – when she felt the first stirrings of her religious vocation. She remembered Margaret with gratitude in these words:
May God reward her with that which is truly good, and is never to have an end…and let her have a part in all that little I do that is good, who by Thy permission gave a beginning to it.
In 1600, when Mary was about 15 years old she knew she had the grace of a call to religious life. Her confessor and also her family were opposed to the idea. Mary wrote later in her autobiography:
This grace (of a religious vocation) by the mercy of God has been so continuous that not for one moment since then have I had the least thought of embracing a contrary state. My parents, though otherwise extraordinary pious, would not for any consideration give their consent, for I was the eldest child and much loved, especially by my father. I was therefore obliged to remain in England six years and some months longer.
"The pain as very great, but endurable, because he who laid on the burden also carried it."
God did not desert her in the conflict:
I prayed much and had little repose, forcing myself as best I could to put my mind into a state of indifference and myself into the hand of God, entreating him, almost night and day, to do his holy will on this occasion.
Looking back over this painful time, Mary wrote these words:
The pain was great, but very endurable, because he who laid on the burden also carried it. Notwithstanding, I could believe that there is no suffering greater than the uncertainty as to the divine will, to one who is resolved to seek above everything to serve God.
Later, in 1618, during a retreat, Mary wrote this beautiful prayer, now known as "Mary Ward's prayer":
But, O Parent of parents, and Friend of all friends, Thy intent in thus disposing was different from this; for here without entreaty Thou tookest me into Thy care, and by degrees led me from all else that at length I might see and settle my love in Thee.
What had I ever done to please Thee? Or what was there in me wherewith to serve Thee? Much less could I ever deserve to be chosen by Thee. O happy begun freedom, the beginning of all my good, and more worth to me at that time than the whole world besides.
Had I never hindered Thy will and working in me, what degrees of grace should I now have had. It is more than nineteen years since, and where as yet am I? My Jesus forgive me, remember what Thou has done for me, and whither Thou hast brought me, and for this excess of goodness and love let me no more hinder Thy will in me.
Prayers
Prayer 1
Mary Ward looked back over her childhood, and spoke with gratitude of the servant Margaret Garrett who read stories to her about the saints and heroic people. She recognised this time as when she felt the first stirrings of her religious vocation. We too reflect with gratitude on the early influences in our own lives which have helped to shape our future.
Prayer 2
God of our present and future, may your Spirit be with us to guide us as we struggle to make the big decisions in our lives, and in all the steps we take to achieve your plan for us. Like Mary Ward, may we feel your powerful support when we pray to you with sincerity and hope.
Prayer 3
God, Creating Spirit, there are times in our lives, young and old, when we meet a person who helps to shape our future aspirations and to guide us along the path of life. We thank you for gifting us with these ‘angels of light’ and may we too be able to share our wisdom with others when it is needed.
Prayer 4
We pray today for all young people who are on the threshold of life, that they may have wise guides and mentors and feel supported in their decision making. May they realise the value of prayer and discernment as they make these choices. We pray also for those who have not made good choices and who feel let down by society. May they have the courage to return and be reconciled with those who love them.
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