The sisters are actively engaged in different ministries: Education, community development, pastoral, HIV/Aids projects …
In 1878, first Loreto pioneers arrived to South Africa from Navan, Ireland.
In the 20s, they lived times of growth and expansion, with foundations in Hillcrest (Pretoria), Strand (Western Cape), Seapoint (Cape Town), and Glen Cowie (NE Transvaal/Sekukuniland). But there were followed by others of closure and consolidation.
Currently, there are two communities in South Africa and the sisters engage in many different ministries: Education, healing memories, community development, parish ministries, HIV/Aids projects, …
To know more about them, you can watch this video: https://youtu.be/axdaTvQgNWI
We are an international multicultural congregation of around 1,800 sisters present in more than 40 countries around the globe. Founded in 1609 by the Venerable Mary Ward, we are a group of unenclosed apostolic religious women, rooted in the Ignatian Spirituality.
We are working in different areas and projects – not out of ourselves, but because we allow ourselves to be sent by God. We form our sisters to be mobile and available, willing to go wherever they are sent. We expect them to strive, like Mary Ward, to have that inner freedom to respond to the call to leave all and follow Christ with passion and compassion.
“Vocation” – a word that tastes of MORE, of what Saint Ignatius of Loyola called “THE MAGIS”: Longing, meaning, fullness of life, a task and the experience of being needed. It sounds like someone who is calling me personally and with whom I can give my life a unique shape.
People all over the world are inspired and enthusiastic about Mary Ward and her way of following Jesus. There are different ways to join our network and become part of the wider Mary Ward Family.
Mary Ward once said: “I listened to God’s deep dream for me and felt a longing to respond.”
In this spirit, we invite you to pray with us. We offer a variety of prayers and material for reflection.
