Mary Ward was a woman of ordinary things. She did not seek anything extraordinary, having her feet on the ground. Her journey was difficult. She continually sought and received light at each step - and was grateful for it. She learned to "accept all things from the hand of God, and in all things to seek Him alone" (PL 48). Her serenity was continually renewed in the confidence that "God directs and guides the just, even if it seems otherwise to us" (3rd MW Speech). She walked through her life, noticing where good could be done - and doing it well. Loving God's will as the all-embracing force, she persevered in faithfulness and did not lose sight of the goal. She did not allow difficulties to stand in her way. At the end of her life, dying amidst the ruins of her work, she exhorted her companions to praise God with joy (Vita E). Having a glimpse of eternity, she promised to help them "if God would give [her] a place in heaven" (Vita E).
Mary Ward probably never thought she would be canonized. However, her followers knew her worth and began the quest immediately following the declaration in 1909 that she was Founder. Like Mary’s efforts for approval of her Institute, a long, arduous journey followed, interrupted by World Wars, including the examination of the Vatican’s “secret files”, together with all she said and wrote, as well as what was said and written about her. Examination by the Vatican’s Theological and Historical Commissions cleared the way for our “Servant of God” to be declared “Venerable” in 2009, the
400th anniversary of the Institute’s birth. The penultimate stage of the journey towards beatification and, ultimately, we hope, canonization requires a “miracle” examined and verified in the Diocese in which the “miracle” occurred. This is where our journey is at present. Should the “miracle” pass through this stage, the same case then goes to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. Success here will enable Pope Francis to declare Mary Ward “Blessed.” As we journey towards this goal, we believe that “God has His time for everything” (Letter, 1625). Nevertheless, we owe it to the wonderful women who have gone before us and to those who will come after us, to do our best to bring this about as quickly as possible.
Mary walked her path as a woman waiting for God's hour, a saint of ordinary things. Ordinary things - e.g. evidence of worldwide prayer and devotion to her, especially by her Family and Prelates of the Church - will contribute to the process of recognition of Mary Ward as Blessed and in due course, Saint.
Questions for reflection:
How does the naming of Mary Ward as a saint of ordinary things affect you?
What signs of the times is Mary inviting you to enter with her today in order to do good?
Where are you, as an individual, member of a community, Province/Region, Friend/ Associate or Collaborator of Venerable Mary Ward, in relation to the promotion of her Cause?
Sr. Elizabeth Cotter IBVM from Ireland and Sr. Agnesa Jenčíková CJ from Slovakia
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