INSTITUTE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary –  Sister Mary Patrick, I.B.V.M.                                                                                                                 Congregatio Jesu                                                                                                                                           “Loretto Sister”                                                                                                                                  “Called to a vocation of love”

Foundress:  Venerable Mary Ward

Place:  Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Year:  1847 A.D.

Her Charism:  Encouraged to “refer all things to God and seek what is the greater good” a Loretto Sister is a woman of integrity who devotes herself to promoting the dignity and good of her neighbor by educating girls or by any other means congruous to the times whereby she can promote the glory of God.  Characterized by a spirit of freedom, sincerity, justice and joy, she finds God in all things and stoutheartedly challenges unjust systems and structures and stands with those on the edges of society, emulating Mary.  This Sister is the female counterpart to the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit Fathers.  As a member of this multicultural, international institute, she is a contemplative in action.  She champions a women’s role in spreading God’s compassion and enriching the lives of God’s people as an educator, spiritual director, counselor or chaplain.  This Sister is “a lover of truth and a worker for justice.”