Celebrating 400 Years of Mary Ward

About Mary Ward

Mary Ward (1585-1645), was an Englishwoman from Yorkshire who founded the Loreto Sisters. She was a progressive and visionary woman of her time who believed “women in time to come would do much”. She believed that women and men were of equal intellect - a brave assertion at the time - and that they should be educated equally. Mary Ward pioneered a new form of religious life for women (without the constraints of the traditional cloister) – a female version of the Jesuits. Together with her followers she set up schools across England and Europe. By remaining faithful to her insights, she was condemned, those who joined her were disbanded and the Institute suppressed. Despite persecution and scandals about her way of religious life her vision and values live on today – in Australia and around the world. She is often described as a “model for all time”.

Why was Mary Ward different to other pioneers of her time?

Mary Ward was a unique pioneer of her time:

She was a woman.
She asserted her beliefs even though they were in contradiction of the church’s expectation of women at the time.
Her appeal still makes a strong connection with women of today.
She had an inner strength and ability to be able to handle, with balance, her own dream and obstructionist people.
She believed women and men were of equal intellect and that women could achieve great things.
She set up a religious order where women could engage with the world and make a difference at a time when the Catholic church believed women were incapable of active service.
Church leaders condemned her but she continued to pray for them.
Her order was suppressed but she inspired so many women that her order, values and way of life prevail today.

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.

Recent articles about Mary Ward

Pioneering Educator Who Challenged Rome By Sr Jane Livesey CJ, Provincial Superior, Congregation of Jesus, England, Published in The Tablet, Jan 09.

Mary Ward Reflection - Commemorative Mass York Minster By Gemma Simmonds CJ, Jan 09.

An Irishwoman's Diary Sarah Mac Donald, The Irish Times, Feb 09.

Mary Ward and Catholic Education for Today Dr Leoni Degenhardt PhD FACE FACEL, April 09.

With Courage and Decisiveness She Opened the Way Sr Christine Burke ibvm, Provincial Leader, Loreto Sisters Australia. Published in Australian Catholics June 09.

The First Sister of Feminism Simon Caldwell, The Independant UK, 11 June 09.