Mary Ward was an English Catholic nun whose activities led to the founding of the Congregation of Jesus and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary less well known as the Sisters of Loreto. She was born into a Catholic family in Yorkshire, England on 23rd January 1585 She grew up during the time when English Catholics were being persecuted for their faith.

At 15 she felt called to become a religious person and left England to join the poor Clares.

In 1609 Mary Ward founded one of the first groups of active religious Women in the Church, The institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

She grew up in England and believed passionately in the capacity of women through education to make a profound difference for good in the world .Her rich legacy inspires all involved in her Schools today to be “seekers of truth and doers of justice “.She believed in the values of sincerity, freedom, justice, joy truth excellence and internationality.

Founders of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary ( Loreto) and pioneer in the field of education, Mary Ward foresaw the need of a sound religious and moral education for young women who would assume responsibility in the society. The serenity and confidence in God with which Mary Ward accepted opposition to her ideas makes her a model of faith, trust and courage for all.

Her conviction was that “Women in time to come will do much”. Thus Loreto education today follows the goals set by Mary Ward” that incomparable women” who saw Integrity, Justice, Freedom and Love as essential qualities for any person.