History of Becoming One
Congregatio Jesu
We are an international congregation of about 1800 sisters active in 40 countries worldwide.
A global community, united by faith, inspired by mission, and open to the world.
We are an international multicultural congregation of around 1,800 sisters present in more than 40 countries around the globe, with our international centre in Rome.
Founded in 1609 by an Englishwoman, the Venerable Mary Ward, we are a group of unenclosed apostolic religious women, rooted in the Ignatian Spirituality.
As a congregation of women religious inspired by the vision of Mary Ward and guided by the Ignatian Spirituality of discernment, freedom, and courageous love, our life and mission are shaped by the desire “to find God in all things” and to respond to the needs of the world with compassion, creativity and faith.
From Europe to Africa, from Asia to the Americas – we form one body, one mission, one spirit. Together we seek to bring hope where there is despair, light where there is darkness, and dignity where it has been lost.
Our Ignatian spirituality calls us to be:
Our name ‘Congregatio Jesu’ was officially adopted in 2003 in place of the earlier title ‘Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary’.
Following the enlightenment of 1611 to ‘take the same of the Society’ (of Jesus), Mary Ward never doubted that the name of her institute must be that of ‘Jesus’. However, she could not give her new foundation an official name because the Church never gave it the recognition she sought. Among the sisters they spoke about themselves as ‘the companions’ and ‘ours’. Their opponents and detractors named them ‘Jesuitesses’ and ‘galloping girls’. By common custom the sisters were often identified simply as the ‘English Ladies’, a description still in use in some places.
Within half a century of Mary Ward’s death the sisters had adopted the Marian title: ‘The Institute of Mary’. Shortly later this was changed to the ‘Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary’. It was under this title that the Church approved the institute in 1877, and at the inconclusive Union Congress of 1900 all branches of Mary Ward’s institute accepted this as the official ecclesiastical title.
The decision to adopt the name ‘Congregatio Jesu’ was taken at the General Congregation of 2002 when the Ignatian Constitutions ‘ad maximum’ were adopted. After nearly 400 years Mary Ward’s founding vision was at last realised.
The name “Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary” (IBVM) has been retained by the Loreto branch of the Institute. All sisters adopted the name “Congregatio Jesu” when the two branches merged in November 2025.
The name ‘Loreto’ for the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) was chosen by Mother Teresa Ball, who founded the Irish branch of the Institute in 1821.
She named the first convent and school in Rathfarnham, Dublin, after the famous Marian shrine in Loreto, Italy, because Mary Ward had a strong personal connection to this place as she appreciated to pray there during ther stay in Italy.
Traditional lore has it that the Holy House of Nazareth, where Mary grew up, was brought by angels to Loreto in Italy (the so-called ‘Miracle of the Holy House of Loreto’). The name became established for the Irish branch and eventually became the common name for all IBVM sisters worldwide.
A heritage of courageous love
Our charism is rooted in the Ignatian spirituality and shaped by the prophetic vision of Mary Ward. Her conviction that “women in time to come will do much” continues to inspire our mission today.
The Ignatian tradition teaches us to discern God’s presence in our daily life, to reflect before acting, and to act with freedom and integrity. Mary Ward added her own bold spirit: a faith that dares, a love that perseveres, and a hope that transcends boundaries.
Missioned by the Christ
Each member is invited to nurture a contemplative heart in the midst of action – to listen deeply, to discern wisely, and to act courageously. We believe that spiritual depth and practical service belong together: faith becomes visible in mission, our service deepens our faith.
We work as educators, pastoral workers, social advocates, and companions in prayer. In schools and universities, in parishes and refugee shelters, in retreat centres and on digital platforms – we seek to accompany others on their journey toward wholeness and freedom.
