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St Mary's foundress, Mary Ward, is now on the next step towards canonization after a Decree recognising the ‘heroic virtue' demonstrated by her, and thereby conferring on her the title ‘Venerable, was made in December.
This was particularly thrilling as it occurred towards the end of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Mary Ward's congregation in London and St Omer in 1609.
The year of celebration began with Mass in York Minster on 29 January, 2009 and it came to a wonderful conclusion with Mass in Westminster Cathedral on 23 January, the birthday of Mary Ward.
Around 2,000 people gathered in Westminster Cathedral to celebrate her life and influence.
As part of the service she was spoken of very warmly by The Most Rev Vincent Nicholls, Archbishop of Westminster and The Most Rev and Rt Hon Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
We were delighted to be able to take most of our Years 6 and 7, with a few Sixth Formers and the Mary Ward scholars, to Westminster to be part of the celebrations.
Our choir, Allegro, joined two sister school choirs to lead us in song. Year 6 students distributed the Orders of Service and some Year 7 students took a collection.
It was a real privilege to be at such a joyful celebration and be so visibly part of ‘The circle of Mary Ward'.
For more information on the mass or to see a copy of the text from Archbishop Nichol's homily and the address by Dr Williams, please visit http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=15526
For more pictures of the event visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicism/sets/72157623145787983/
For more information on the Decree issued to Mary Ward, as featured in Networking Magazine, and written by Sister Gemma Simmonds, please click the link below.
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Click to download the attached file(s):
- Mary_Ward_Networking_Magazine.pdf