The Mary Ward Family
The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) and Congregatio of Jesu (CJ), currently two different congregations, are becoming one. As Mary Ward women, we are determined to accomplish and celebrate this process that will lead us to the union of hearts and minds.
We are living our process of union deeply, taking time to know each other, sharing time and conversations, and praying together to find our common ground.
From the consultation process held in 2019-2020 in both congregations, it was clear that one of the most important next steps in the process was to find a way for members to get to know each other and the history and realities of the other branch better, especially in parts of the world where we do not currently co-exist.
On the Path to Becoming One
Last week, from Wednesday 29th March to Saturday 1st April, the extended ERC spring meeting was held in Slovakia. Five CJ provincials Sarah, Cosima, Monica, Pilar and Agnesa met together with three IBVM provincial leaders Elena from Spain, Barbara from Ireland and Jen from Britain. The meeting was a great step in the Becoming One process. The provincials spent a fruitful time in a small Slovak spa town called Trenčianske Teplice working together, sharing experiences of mission and ideas about a possible future collaboration and formation of new members. Equally, they had the opportunity to relax and walk and enjoyed some wonderful quality time together. On Thursday, the European CJ novice director Johanna from Vienna joined the group and presented on current formation in novitiate.
The group was very grateful to God for this fruitful meeting and the days spent together.
Members of the IBVM and CJ leadership teams are taking steps on the path to Becoming One, visiting provinces and regions, and taking time to meet communities of sisters.
IBVM Visit to CJ England March 2023
From CJ General Congregation 2022
Jane Livesey CJ’s response to IBVM petition for fusion 23rd August 2022
Noelle and all our IBVM sisters here in Nemi, standing for the worldwide Institute
I stand here with you as the representative of the CJ General Congregation, which is at this moment and for the days of its duration, the highest authority in our congregation.
All of us here and all who are with us today via livestream have walked – or perhaps rowed – with all of you on a long journey down the river in front of us, whose story you have told so creatively and movingly, a river whose origin is shared and whose history has so much that is shared, not least during the past few years. This river, charting our history, poses one question to us all – What, in our time, are the Holy Spirit and Mary Ward asking of us, inviting us to?
As we receive your petition, we pledge ourselves to receiving and discerning it in the context of our shared charism of the Just Soul – with freedom to refer it to God, with justice to all of you and to the mission, with sincerity and integrity, knowing that this will bring all of us to the felicity of our shared “estate” as daughters of Mary Ward. In doing so we will honour the generosity and sacrifice your petition has asked of all of you and pledge ourselves to whatever generosity and sacrifice the Holy Spirit and Mary Ward ask of us in responding to it.
Jesus say Amen.
Noelle’s Opening Words on Becoming One at the IBVM General Congregation October 12 2022
Becoming One Website
To learn more about the process and the Sisters of both congregations,
please visit www.maryward.org
