Mary Ward

Mary Ward, an English Catholic religious sister whose activities led to the founding of the Congregation of Jesus and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, better known as the Sisters of Loreto. There is now a network of around 200 Mary Ward schools worldwide.

Mary Ward was born in Yorkshire in 1585. She lived in an age of religious intolerance. Her parents were devout Catholics at a time when Catholics were persecuted in England.

Mary Ward was a woman of great courage and determination. She refused to be cowed by the persecution of her faith. She founded the Congregation of Jesus in 1609. The Congregation was a community of women who lived in community and worked to educate girls.

Mary Ward's work was controversial. She was accused of heresy and was forced to leave England. She went to Rome, where she sought the support of the pope. The pope gave her permission to continue her work.

Mary Ward returned to England in 1631. She continued to work to educate girls. She also founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Institute was a community of women who lived in community and worked to provide education for girls.

Mary Ward died in 1645. She was 60 years old. She was never canonized as a saint, but she is considered a saint by many Catholics.

Mary Ward was a pioneer in the field of education for girls. She was a woman of great courage and determination. She made a significant contribution to the education of girls in England.

Mary Ward is an inspiration to us all. She shows us that anything is possible if we have courage and determination. She is a role model for all of us who are working to make the world a better place.

• Mary Ward was a woman of great faith.
  She was a devout Catholic and she refused to be cowed by the persecution of her faith.
• Mary Ward was a woman of great courage.
  She founded the Congregation of Jesus and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, despite the opposition of the authorities.
• Mary Ward was a woman of great determination.
  She never gave up on her work, even when she was faced with great challenges.

Mary Ward is an inspiration to us all. She shows us that anything is possible if we have courage, determination, and faith.