Mary Ward Week 2023

The chief means of communication during the expansion of the Institute and one that affords ample opportunity for insight into the mind of our foundress is letter writing. Of this, Mary Ward availed herself fully as she refuted accusations, did business with the Pope and clergy, and encouraged her scattered companions. [Till God Will]

This Mary Ward Week we are invited to listen to Mary Ward through her letters, which cover the years from 1615 to 1642: letters written as Superior General of an Institute, as foundress concerned with the growth of the new houses and as friend and companion. Magdalen O’Neill IBVM, a Mary Ward letter expert who established the Mary Ward Summer Schools, together with Patricia Harriss CJ, Carmel Swords IBVM and Agnesa Jenčíková CJ, made a careful selection of letters, those most relevant for the companions of the 21st century to reflect on. We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the contributors with the reflections….Sr. Sudha Arul IBVM and Sr. Tomsy Madathumpadickal CJ