Mary Ward’s Long-Held Vision Realized as Two Congregations Unite into One Spiritual Family
In a landmark event for women’s religious life, two branches of the spiritual family founded by Venerable Mary Ward, the Congregation of Jesus (CJ) and the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), commonly known as the Loreto Sisters, have officially united to form a single congregation. The merger fulfills Mary Ward’s 400-year-old dream of a unified body of women devoted to faith, education, and service.
The historic union was formally declared during a Mass celebrated on November 4, 2025, in Loyola, Spain, the birthplace of St. Ignatius of Loyola, whose spirituality inspired both congregations. The liturgy was presided over by Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, highlighting the deep Ignatian roots shared by the two institutes.
Under the canonical merger, approximately 1,880 sisters across more than 40 countries will now form a single congregation under the name Congregation of Jesus (CJ). The unification represents not only a legal and structural integration but also the spiritual completion of Mary Ward’s vision of unity.
Mary Ward, born in 1585 in England, was a courageous and forward-thinking woman who reimagined the role of women in religious life. She believed that women could serve God with the same apostolic zeal as the Jesuits, combining education, spiritual formation, and missionary outreach. Her ideas were considered revolutionary in 17th-century Europe and met with resistance from Church authorities. Her schools were suppressed, and she herself was imprisoned. Yet her charism survived, and over time, her followers built two flourishing congregations that carried her mission across the world.
“This moment is a profound act of healing and hope,” said Sr. Veronica Fuhrmann, CJ, Superior General of the newly unified congregation. “For centuries, we have shared the same charism and the same mission. Today, what has long been true in spirit is now true in structure. We are one.”
The merger ceremony was deeply symbolic, not only marking institutional unity but also reaffirming a shared commitment to Mary Ward’s ideals of education, justice, and the empowerment of women through faith. The event brought together representatives from both congregations, including sisters from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, who have long collaborated in schools, universities, and social ministries.
Sr. Santrina Tumusiime, CJ, speaking during the ceremony, described the moment as a celebration of “unity in diversity,” reflecting the global and multicultural character of the new congregation. “Mary Ward’s dream has finally come to life,” she said. “This is not only the fulfillment of a founder’s vision but also a promise for the future that together we can continue to respond to the needs of our time with creativity and courage.”
The unification of the two congregations stands as a historic sign of renewal within the Catholic Church, demonstrating that fidelity to a founding vision can grow stronger across centuries.
