Mary Ward

The Cause for Mary Ward’s Canonization

Many people around the world are hoping that the church is recognising Mary Ward as Saint.

The Church proclaimed Mary Ward “Venerable” in 2009. She was recognised as a woman of “undoubted heroic virtue” four centuries after her institute was suppressed and she was imprisoned. Mary Ward’s sisters who work in over 40 countries worldwide rejoiced in the public recognition of this prophetic woman.

Now the institute must complete the journey – to make Mary Ward a saint. This involves two major steps:

We must prove widespread devotion to Mary Ward. This means recording and preserving evidence of support in the many places in which CJ Sisters, collaborators, associates or friends live and minister. Through a network of contacts worldwide, the Office for the Cause of Venerable Mary Ward endeavours to discover, collate and share this information.
We must provide evidence of “extraordinary graces” or miracles received through the intercession of Mary Ward. This requires the investigation of possible miracles, whether medical or other, at three levels. This work is being undertaken by Sister Elizabeth Cotter IBVM, a canon lawyer, who as Postulator for the Cause, is responsible for its promotion both in the place of any alleged miracle and in the Office for the Causes of Saints in Rome. One miracle is required to satisfy the Beatification process, i.e. the penultimate step, and another to have Venerable Mary Ward declared a saint – Canonisation.

How can you help?

Let the Office for the Cause know of any graces graces and favours received in the name of Venerable Mary Ward.
Promote devotion to her by sharing information with others, e.g., distribute the leaflet or the Relic/Prayer Cards prepared by the Postulator’s Office.
Let us know if you want prayers for someone who is ill (you can contact the Office directly or use the “prayer request” on the website)·
Let us know if you have received a “favour” sought through the intercession of Mary Ward.

Use one of our prayers

Prayer for the Cause of Mary Ward

Mary Ward Prayers

Sr. Elizabeth Cotter CJ (Sr. Liz) will be delighted to assist you: causemaryward@gmail.com

If you prefer direct contact to a sister in your region, you can speak with any CJ Sister.

Our places and contacts

Information for supporters of the cause of the Venerable Mary Ward:

Mary Ward for Saint

To show the continued support for and widespread devotion to Mary Ward, we launched the online campaign #MARYWARDFORSAINT. To add your name and provide support for this campaign, please visit: https://chng.it/yX6w5xsL6W

Prayer requests

The Office distributes a Global Prayer Request List every month to the Mary Ward Family worldwide. Those who would like the Family of Mary Ward to pray through her intercession for a particular intention should send their petition to: causemaryward@gmail.com

Relic cards

These are available, on request, from the Cause Office.

Directing the Cause for the Venerable Mary Ward

Elizabeth Cotter CJ (Liz)

Elizabeth Cotter CJ, JCD, a canon lawyer, was appointed to pursue the Cause for Canonisation in 2015, on behalf of all the members of the Family of Venerable Mary Ward. To this end, coordinated by the Office for the Cause, a veritable “army” of Mary Ward supporters worldwide, endeavour to promote her Cause in the 42 countries in which the Mary Ward Family lives and ministers.

The Cause Office is happy to respond to requests for prayer through the intercession of Venerable Mary Ward, to provide information on her and the Cause and to send Relic Prayer Cards to those who request them.

Liz can be contacted at:

Office for the Cause of Venerable Mary Ward (Dublin)

Office for the Cause of Venerable Mary Ward

Loreto International House | Sr Elisabeth Cotter CJ | 25 Rathfarnham Wood | Dublin D14 H2R6 | Ireland

+353 1 4240426 causemaryward@gmail.com

Office for the Cause of Venerable Mary Ward (Rome)

Office for the Cause of Venerable Mary Ward

Casa Generalizia | Via Nomentana 250 | I-00162 Roma | Italia

causemaryward@gmail.com

How we pray

Mary Ward founded the CJ on Ignatian principles, adopting the spirituality of the Society of Jesus for women who live and work actively in the world. Therefore, the Ignatian Examen for us is not simply one prayer among many – it is central to our spiritual identity.

Pray the Examen

House of Prayer

Songs based on words of Mary Ward

Lona, a young German composer, has created new songs based on famous Word of the Venerable Mary Ward. Sr Ursula Dirmeier CJ added reflections on the background and meaning of the words.
>> Find the songs, the sheet music and the reflections here …