The beginnings of our Institute
The Congregatio Jesu was founded by Mary Ward. She was joined by some companions at the end of 1609 and opened her first convent at Saint Omer in 1610. Following a strong vision, she chose the Constitutions of St. Ignatius as the way of life of her Institute. Members of her congregation would serve the Church as apostolic women in the defense and propagation of the faith.
Although the Institute and its schools flourished, Mary Ward was unable to obtain Papal approval for reasons bound up with contemporary circumstances. The Institute was supressed in 1631 by Pope Urban VIII in the Bull “Pastoralis Romani Pontificis”. The foundress submitted with entire obedience to what the Pope ordered. She never gave up hope that God would enable her Institute to revive for the service of the church.
From 1680 onwards, thanks to the dedication of loyal companions, episcopal permission was granted for the founding of new houses. From 1749 the common Superior was known as the General Superior. In 1703, Pope Clement XI granted approbation of the “Eighty-one Rules”, based on the rules and constitutions of the Society of Jesus. These rules, together with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, maintained the original inspiration of Mary Ward for her Institute. In 1877 Pope Pius IX confirmed the Institute in the decree “Religiosae Mulieres Congregationis”.
The Irish branch, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was established by Teresa Ball in Dublin in 1821. She received her formation in the Bar Convent in York. Together with the Ignatian heritage of the Spiritual Exercises and the Eighty-one Rules, Teresa Ball brought the Constitutions, based on those of St. Ignatius, from York to Rathfarnham. These Constitutions, with some revisions, had been observed in the oldest house of the Institute since the seventeenth century.
The Irish branch grew rapidly and was characterized from the beginning by a strong missionary urge. India was the first foundation after Rathfarnham in 1841, followed by Mauritius 1845, Gibraltar 1845, Canada 1847, England 1851, Australia 1875, South Africa 1878, U.S.A. 1880, Spain 1888, Kenya 1921 and Peru 1981. As it grew, the Institute adapted and changed in response to political, social and ecclesiological forces.
PATH TO BECOMING ONE
While the two Mary Ward congregations were separate, there was always informal contact between the two groups and a desire for unity grew. In 2019, following a communal discernment, both congregation leaders and their teams shared that they had been “unanimously confirmed in our belief that the two branches are being called to take the final step in returning to Mary Ward’s original desire to found one congregation…”
In 2020, as Covid continued throughout the world, the leadership teams shared a reflection, acknowledging that prayer and discernment for the proposed merger continued throughout both congregations. In September of that year, a formal process to become One was launched for both branches.
Against the backdrop of the pandemic, a creative way of encouraging members to get to know each other began. Ambassadors were appointed and they provided digital spaces for sharing of history, life and mission. They were assisted by Animators from both general leadership teams. It was envisaged that the initiative would continue until June 2021. Both congregations were divided into four areas and many joyous encounters took place on Zoom.
As the world continued to be affected by Covid, members were very much engaged in reflection and prayer about merger. Prayer cards were printed, translated and distributed to all Provinces/Regions.
On April 11 2022, the IBVM Institute Leadership team shared that they had received a very clear mandate from all members to proceed to ask for a canonical fusion/merger with the Congregation of Jesus. In August 2023, all delegates at the CJ General Congregation in Nemi, voted unanimously to receive the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Congregation of Jesus. On October 14 2022, at the IBVM General Congregation in Manresa, there was a unanimous yes to the proposed merger with the Congregation of Jesus.
From January 2023 until the canonical vote by IBVM members on July 31 2025, there were many joint CJ and IBVM meetings and gatherings. Sisters of both congregations worldwide engaged in the Spiritual Journey process from January to July 2025. For IBVM members, the 31 July 2025 was a day of celebration and joy. On August 8 2025, the news that IBVM had voted in favour of merger with the Congregation of Jesus was received with deep gratitude. All now look forward to the proclamation of the official merger decree on November 4 2025.
Our foundress, the Venerable Mary Ward
Born into a Yorkshire Catholic recusant family in 1585, Mary Ward felt called to religious life from a young age and joined a community of Poor Clare sisters in Flanders. However, she found the contemplative, enclosed life unsatisfying. Inspired by a different calling, Mary returned to England and gathered a group of companions. In 1609, she founded a new type of religious community. In 1611, while praying, she heard clearly the words: “Take the same of the Society”, by which she understood the “Society of Jesus” founded by St Ignatius of Loyola.
The Pope’s recognition of the Order’s rules in 1703 was an important step towards confirming and honouring the commitment of the CJ sisters to the education of young women. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Mary Ward “Venerable”. She was recognized as a woman of “undoubted heroic virtue”. Mary Ward’s sisters, both CJ and IBVM, who work in over 40 countries worldwide rejoiced in the public recognition of this prophetic woman. As apostolic women religious, they continue to honour her charism through many apostolic endeavours.
Her vision was for women to engage in active apostolic missions, similar to the Jesuits, without the strict enclosure of traditional convents. She opened her first school for girls in St. Omer, focusing on education and caring for the sick and imprisoned. This innovative model, which allowed women to be mobile and active in the community, met significant opposition from Church authorities. Her order was initially suppressed, and she was branded a heretic and briefly imprisoned.
