Loreto News updates

Becoming One: Congregatio Jesu and IBVM Merge into One Congregation

Following prayer, reflection and engagement of members, the two congregations of apostolic women religious, Congregatio Jesu (CJ) and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM- Loreto) merged today. The merged Congregatio Jesu, approximately 1,800 sisters worldwide, will continue to honour the legacy and charism of its foundress Venerable Mary Ward. The merger of the two congregations became a canonical and legal reality at 12:00 PM CET (Rome time) on 4 November 2025.

Mother Gonzaga Barry Honoured as Trailblazer in 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women

Loreto Province of Australia and South East Asia warmly celebrates the induction of Mother Mary Gonzaga Barry ibvm into the 2025 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, recognised in the Trailblazer category for her extraordinary contribution to education. This honour comes in the milestone year marking 150 years since the Loreto Sisters first arrived in Australia, bringing with them a vision of learning that continues to shape generations.

Saying Yes to Grace: Sr Octa’s First Profession

On 19 July 2025, Sr Octavia Do Carmo ibvm made her First Profession in Timor-Leste – a day filled with joy, community spirit, and faith. Loreto sisters from Manila, Vietnam, and Australia gathered with sisters, candidates, family, and friends at Santo Dom Bosco de Gari-uai, Baucau to mark this significant occasion.

Honouring Sr Mary Wright ibvm: A Legacy of Leadership

Sr Mary Wright ibvm was a gifted leader, teacher, and canon lawyer whose legacy of humility, wisdom, and transformative leadership continues to inspire. To honour her extraordinary contribution, Loreto Ministries is proud to establish two annual scholarships in her name, commencing in 2026. These scholarships are designed to invest in those serving in leadership roles within Loreto schools, and Loreto Board Members who are shaping the future of Loreto education with courage, vision and service.

A Legacy of Grace: Launching the Elizabeth Donnan ibvm Scholarship Fund

Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm devoted her life to education, service, and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to learn. To honour this remarkable legacy and inspired by the many lives she touched, Mary Ward International has created the Sr Elizabeth Donnan ibvm Scholarship Fund. This initiative opens doors for students from remote and disadvantaged communities in Zambia, giving them the opportunity to study nursing at Sancta Maria College of Nursing and Midwifery in Lukulu, Zambia.

Seeds of Grace: Loreto Schools Nurturing Changemakers

Across Australia, Loreto schools are nurturing young people to live out Mary Ward’s values of verity, justice, sincerity, freedom, and felicity. Through classroom learning and immersion experiences, students grow as compassionate leaders – developing the courage and skills to make a difference in their communities and the wider world.

Loreto Global Voices: Alumnae Leading with Grace

The Inaugural Loreto Global Voices in London on October 10 will be hosted by our Loreto Principals from Ballarat, Coorparoo, Kirribilli, Marryatville, Normanhurst and Toorak to provide a forum for engagement and networking with our ex-students working in the UK and Europe. This will be generously hosted by Westpac at their London headquarters.

Grace in Governance: How Mary Ward’s Values Guide Loreto Leadership

In this 150th year of Loreto life in Australia and South East Asia, the Steward Directors of Loreto Ministries – the body responsible for the governance of Loreto schools in Australia – continue to draw inspiration from the legacy of Mother Gonzaga Barry, the lessons of Mary Ward and the tradition of excellence in education that has flourished for over 400 years.

Sr Sandra on Being Faithful to Grace

What does it mean to be faithful to grace? In 1875, Mother Gonzaga Barry faced this same question. Reflecting on her decision to leave Ireland for Australia, 25 years later, she wrote: “It nearly broke my heart, though I was told by Superiors that I would not be sent against my will, I felt I had to do it, or be unfaithful to grace; and when Reverend Mother told me that if I had not consented to go, she would not have allowed any of the Sisters to go to Ballarat, I felt grateful to God who gave me strength.”

Loreto Sisters Join Mary McKillop Hawthorn Residents to Celebrate 50 Years of NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week 2025 – was celebrated from Sunday 6th July – 13th July. This year was the 50th Anniversary of this wonderful week. NAIDOC Week is a very important soul-deep celebration for our First Nations People. It is a time to feast on the joy and pride of culture and to connect with the wider Australian Community. Even in years marked by hardship and upheaval, it has always been a powerful reminder of survival, resilience and the ongoing achievements of First Nations Peoples.