September 16, 2022 marked the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first community of Loret(t)o Sisters in Canada.
Mary Ward’s Institute was brought from England to Ireland in 1821 by Frances Teresa Ball where they became known as Loret(t)o Sisters. In response to requests Teresa sent sisters to India, Mauritius, Gibraltar, and then to Canada when Bishop Michael Power asked for teachers for the growing population of Irish immigrant children in Toronto.
On August 5, 1847 Teresa Dease, Gertrude Fleming, Ignatia Hutchinson, Valentina Hutchinson, and Bonaventure Phelan left Ireland, landed on September 16 at Cooper’s Wharf in Toronto, and began the first Catholic school on September 29. Despite hardships and limited resources this small foundation grew to start new missions in Canada and the United States.
On September 17, 2022 a special anniversary Mass was celebrated at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto, in honour of this founding. Join us in prayer as we celebrate this historic milestone!