Friends and companions of Mary Ward
People all over the world are inspired and enthusiastic about Mary Ward and her way of following Jesus.
The members of the wider Mary Ward Family form circles of friends or make a personal commitment to follow Mary Ward and the CJ sisters oin their commitment for people at the margins and the needs of our time.
Some of the lay members of our Mary Ward Family are former pupils or teachers at a Mary Ward school, others have got to know Mary Ward during Ignatian excercises or while searching for a role model for women in the church.
There is not the one and only right way to become a members of the Mary Ward Family. In many countries, the gropus of friends, associates or companions are not even roman catholic, due to different situations in their home countries.
The base that connects all members of this worldwide network is the charism of Mary Ward, her inspiring vision of actively promoting God’s eternal love by uniting prayer and action. All parts of our Family are searching God in their daily lives and are commiting themselves to be “seekers of truth and doers of justice”.
Associates, also known as Companions and Friends of Mary Ward, are located in many of our Provinces and Regions across the world. They are people from all walks of life, young and old, who want to share in the spirituality and mission of the Institute of as their own life commitments allow them.
In every part of the congregation, associates and friends are playing an important role and are deeply engaged in the life of the Institute. In many places they are social and pastoral care workers, teachers, support staff and education officers, development workers, treasurers, secretaries and archivists, carers and support staff of all kinds. In some places colleagues and co-workers, past pupils and friends seek formal opportunities for commitment.
The Associate/ Friends relationship differs from province to province within the Congregatio Jesu. In some countries they are directly involved in the mission of the Institute and make a formal commitment. In others, the relationship is more informal and the friends gather together to pray, learn about Mary Ward and sometimes go on pilgrimage or retreat.
All associates/friends have the opportunity to deepen their spirituality and to learn and live the charism of Mary Ward in the 21st century.
