Mary Ward week is celebrated every year in each Loreto school in Ireland, from the 24th January to the 30th of January. Mary Ward, founder of Loreto was born on the 24th January 1585 and died on the 30th of January 1645.
During the coming week, religion classes will reflect on Mary Ward’s life as well as learning about Mother Teresa Ball who founded the Irish branch of the Loreto sisters. The first school that she founded was at Rathfarnham Abbey. To remember Mother Teresa Ball , during the week religion classes will take part in a prayer service at her grave, marking our respect to a remarkable woman.
On Monday, the 24th of January,4thand 5th years will be given the opportunity to take part in a preparation course to be commissioned as a minister of the Eucharist. The ministers of the Eucharist have a special role to play within the ever growing Church. The participants will take part in a nine week course that will take place during lunch time on Mondays in the Oratory. The application process is an application form and a meeting with the Chaplain, Niamh Donohue. There will be 6 pupils selected from transition year and 6 selected form fifth year. The newly commissioned Ministers of the Eucharist will administer to the school community throughout the school year.
Finally, on the 30th of January, all Loreto communities are invited to a special mass that will be celebrated at Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Mass at 7.30pm in St.Francis Xavier’s Church. This is a very special mass as a picture of Mary Ward will be blessed and placed in the Church, a Jesuit Church. 400 years ago, in 1611, Mary Ward sought to adopt the way of St. Ignatius for her sisters. In 2009, the Loreto sisters finally adapted what Mary always wanted; the Jesuit rule of life. 
