Historic Gathering of Mary Ward’s Institute

4 MAY 2017
Historic Gathering of Mary Ward’s Institute

All Mary Ward provincial superiors and both Generalate teams met together in Rome for a historic gathering on 27 April in the CJ Generalate house in Via Nomentana. The last time any similar meeting took place was at the ‘Union Chapter’ of 1900, though even then not all provincials were present. This means the meeting of 2017 was a first – and all present very much felt it should not be the last either!

The intention to work together whenever possible, and to move towards full union of the two parts of Mary Ward’s Institute, was stated at the last General Congregation of both the CJs and the IBVMs.  So this was a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other better, and to discover all over again that there is so little that actually separates us.

All those present welcomed the opportunity to celebrate our common Mary Ward heritage and our desire for full union in time to come – and hope that it may be soon!