Becoming One
Mary Ward’s vision was for one apostolic institute, with the same constitutions and charism as the Society of Jesus, including its own general superior. The Church suppressed this fledgling institute in 1631, but this did not deter Mary Ward and her companions from pursing their desire for recognition by the Church to serve God in a new way.
As Mary Ward’s institute grew in numbers and spread across the globe over the centuries it divided into various smaller institutes influenced by the local bishop, politics, geography, poor communications and the need to compromise to continue to exist. What is extraordinary is that all the various groups clung to much of Mary Ward’s vision: ‘women, in time to come, will do much’. However, the culture of Church and society remained hostile. In 1877 the Church eventually recognised Mary Ward’s institute, but not its founder. This did not occur until 1909. Among the many letters of delight at this news was one written by M. Michael Corcoran, General Superior of the Irish Branch, to M. Gonzaga Barry, the Australian Provincial, and is dated from Gibraltar 7th May 1909:
“We are all in great delight here. We sang the Te Deum and said the Magnificat after Mass for nine days in thanksgiving. Now we must pray for five ‘actions’ as we have obtained our holy Mother’s justification: Her Beatification; Unification of the whole Institute; Organization of the Institute (common and suitable Constitutions); Renovation of the Institute by a renewal of fervour; Canonization of our Holy Mother’. And all these speedily” (RA II / 0739)
A century has passed since this letter was written and none of the actions listed have been fully realised. We hope and pray that the ‘Unification of the whole Institute’ (referred to as ‘Becoming One’) may now come speedily.
For further information on ‘Becoming One’ see www.maryward.org
Towards CJ/IBVM Union
Our Name
