Mary Ward was born in England in 1585 at a time when Catholics were persecuted and women were expected to marry or join a cloistered convent.
Yet Mary Ward followed God’s call to journey inward and outward, choosing a different way to live out her faith and vocation — one that transformed the lives of many and still does so today with the legacy of her wondrous work.
On January 7, 2026, students, educators, faith leaders, and partners from across the Toronto Catholic District School Board gathered at Loretto College to celebrate the enduring legacy of Venerable Mary Ward—a woman whose vision for education, justice, and freedom continues to inspire generations.
