The canonisation of Mary Ward has taken a major step forward as the Theological Commission of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints has voted in her favour. Next her cause will go before the Congregation’s Commission of Cardinals and Bishops (though this may take up until 2010) and if approved will go before Pope Benedict XVI.
He is a former pupil of Mary Ward’s sisters in Bavaria, and has spoken well of her saying that she showed us that real strength and courage consists in doing what one knows to be good in all circumstances in which we are placed, and in not letting ourselves be deterred from this by any opposition.
Mary Ward has yet to have a miracle recognized by the Church. Her supporters are urging people to pray for miracles through her intercession so her cause can progress.
One miracle is required to see her beatified and a second before she becomes a saint.
Although many miracles have been attributed to her, they do not count as her cause for canonisation had not been opened at the time.
This year sees the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Mary Ward’s congregation, the Loreto Sisters as they are known in Ireland.
Worldwide, thousands follow and honour the woman who pioneered education which prepared women for service in the Church and in society, not just in the cloister or marriage.
This paved the way for unenclosed female religious orders.
A documentary titled Mary Ward Dangerous Innovator, will tell her story for the first time and how she was something of a controversial figure in her day challenging the stereotypes of 17th century Catholicism and in particular the role of women.
One of the great female travellers of the 17th century, she journeyed on foot over the Alps three times amidst the Thirty Years War and despite plague to reach Rome in order to meet Pope Gregory XV and Urban VIII and answer the criticisms (for her work outside the cloisters amidst the needy). She was jailed by the Inquisition as a 'heretic, rebel and schismatic'.
Her's is the story of a woman who remained, despite all her trials and the shabby treatment meted out to her, a loyal servant of the Church. Three centuries later, Mother Teresa of Calcutta said she was “God’s gift to the Church and society”, while Pope Pius XII described her as “that incomparable woman”.
Her vision of what women could and would do still flourishes today around the world from Sudan to South Korea, and from Ireland to Argentina through her Loreto sisters.
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