The Glory of God: Service of our neighbour:
The fundamental vision with which Mary Ward set forth to begin her Institute was the ‘Gloria Vision’. Even before the Congregation took concrete form it was given its distinctive mark. Our work is to be for the glory of God. In this call from God we can hear the echo of Mary’s apostolic vision. The notion of glory refers to that power, the majesty, honour and radiance which belong to God alone. It is the manifestation of the saving power of God. She would labour for the glory of God and the one aim of her life was to be the praise and glory of God in everything, hence she was committed to her apostolic vision of helping others. The emphasis on ‘service of neighbour’, ‘helping souls’ came from a profound conviction that grew with her in her personal faith history. She was influenced by the Christ of the Spiritual Exercises- Christ in action, who went from place to place to proclaim the saving power of God.
Total Availability :
“Our Institute should be marked by the asceticism of ‘availability’. The basic motivation behind this availability is love and a pure intention of serving God, sincere ‘zeal for souls’ … we are here for others, the heart of our mission is service of mankind”. This was the message of the General Superior to the whole Institute in 1980. Mary’s response was an unconditional availability of faith and hope, a total surrender of her person to the will of God- Mary Ward was totally available in her time.
Available to the Church;
Available for young girls ;
Available to her companions;
Available with her pain and sickness;
Available to the Catholics, to the women, to the poor, to the sick…
In the words of Pope John Paul II, “Like your Foundress, Mary Ward, you are called to exemplify that courage and generosity which are components of true fidelity- the courage to face the sacrifices necessary to uphold her religious charism, which has become your own… and the generosity to pursue this perseveringly under the Banner of the Cross of Christ, together with His Mother Mary.”.
The Glory of God: Service of our neighbour:
The fundamental vision with which Mary Ward set forth to begin her Institute was the ‘Gloria Vision’. Even before the Congregation took concrete form it was given its distinctive mark. Our work is to be for the glory of God. In this call from God we can hear the echo of Mary’s apostolic vision. The notion of glory refers to that power, the majesty, honour and radiance which belong to God alone. It is the manifestation of the saving power of God. She would labour for the glory of God and the one aim of her life was to be the praise and glory of God in everything, hence she was committed to her apostolic vision of helping others. The emphasis on ‘service of neighbour’, ‘helping souls’ came from a profound conviction that grew with her in her personal faith history. She was influenced by the Christ of the Spiritual Exercises- Christ in action, who went from place to place to proclaim the saving power of God.
Total Availability :
“Our Institute should be marked by the asceticism of ‘availability’. The basic motivation behind this availability is love and a pure intention of serving God, sincere ‘zeal for souls’ … we are here for others, the heart of our mission is service of mankind”. This was the message of the General Superior to the whole Institute in 1980. Mary’s response was an unconditional availability of faith and hope, a total surrender of her person to the will of God- Mary Ward was totally available in her time.
Available to the Church;
Available for young girls ;
Available to her companions;
Available with her pain and sickness;
Available to the Catholics, to the women, to the poor, to the sick…
In the words of Pope John Paul II, “Like your Foundress, Mary Ward, you are called to exemplify that courage and generosity which are components of true fidelity- the courage to face the sacrifices necessary to uphold her religious charism, which has become your own… and the generosity to pursue this perseveringly under the Banner of the Cross of Christ, together with His Mother Mary.”.
