Welcomed by the CJ sisters at the Bar Convent in York, a group of pilgrims from Germany, Austria and South Tyrol have just spent the last ten days in the footsteps of Mary Ward in England. The women were all companions of Mary Ward from the Central European province of the Congregation of Jesus, living their vocations in their different states (single, married, widowed, divorced) but all serving God wherever and in whatever ministry they are called to. “We aren´t religious sisters, but we think of ourselves as their companions in the other boat” one of them said, referring to the passage in Luke 5 where the disciples find their nets at breaking point (after Jesus has told them where to fish) and ask others in another boat to come and help them.
The group´s tour started in Warwickshire and London, but they were especially interested to discover Mary Ward´s roots in Yorkshire where she was born near Ripon in 1585. Angela Simek, one of the companions now living in Whitby, commented on how Mary Ward was ahead of her time in many ways. “God called her to do apostolic work outside convent walls and wherever it was needed, to be a contemplative in action, just like St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged those joining the Society of Jesus to be. Born and bred in Yorkshire and seeing how the Catholic women around her lived their faith, often at great cost, Mary was very aware of the potential that women had (and still have) to serve God in many different ways,” she continued.
Just like the sisters at the Bar Convent, the companions see themselves as continuing Mary Ward´s legacy. “We all come from places in Europe where schools founded by Mary Ward and her sisters have had such an important influence on so many people over the years. It is a great privilege now to be visiting the places that taught Mary so much,” said another of the companions. The group were particularly impressed with the wide horizons of Holderness and elsewhere and commented on how Mary´s spirituality reflected that openness and far-sightedness. “She´s very much a saint of our days,” one companion said, “accompanying us on our synodal journey.” With this she addressed what is in the hearts of all her companions. Though now considered Venerable, Mary Ward has not yet been formally canonized. As Mary herself would say: “Till God will.”
One of the highlights of the group´s tour was a Vesper held in the Lady Chapel of Mount Grace at Osmotherley, a place of pilgrimage for them as it had been for Mary Ward when she returned to her native county after many years in Europe shortly before the outbreak of the English Civil war. The group´s tour ended with an ecumenical service in St. Thomas´s church in Osbaldwick where Mary Ward is buried and where her gravestone encourages everyone to persevere – in love.
(Photo heading) Mary Ward companions in Osbaldwick