Becoming One

CJ and IBVM, the two branches of Mary Ward’s Institutes, are on their way to Becoming One. As Mary Ward Women, we are determined to accomplish and celebrate this process that will lead us to the union of hearts and minds.

We are living our process of Becoming One deeply, taking time to know each other, sharing time and conversations, and praying together to find our common ground.

A bit of history:

A consultation process held in 2019-2020 in both branches made us realise that their was a longing of realising Mary Ward’s plan of one Institute.

We learned that one of the most important next steps in the process was to find a way for members to get to know each other and the history and realities of the other branch better, especially in parts of the world where we do not currently co-exist. This happend in a variety of online groups and personal meetings.

During the General Congregations of CJ and IBVM in 2022, both congregations voted unanimously for a merger of the two branches of Mary Ward’s Institute.

Since then, we have held many meetings with members of both congregations, got to know each other even better and initiated exchange between lay members of the Mary Ward Family worldwide.

In 2024, the first meeting of all Provincial and Regional superiors of CJ and IBVM took place. Furthermore, the formators of our two congregations met and discussed ways to help young sisters to grow in our common Institute in the future.

On 4 November 2025, we will be able to celebrate our new unity with a Holy Mass and a spiritual ritual.

Details on how the sisters, lay friends and companions of Mary Ward and all those interested in the celebration can join via livestream will follow soon.