‘Love and speak the truth at all times’. ‘Do good and do it well’. ‘There is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things.’
Just three pearls of wisdom from an extraordinary York woman.
Mary Ward founded the order now known as the Congregation of Jesus, who reside at the Bar Convent on Blossom Street.
And this is Mary Ward Week, an annual celebration, marking the anniversaries of her birth on January 23 1585 and her death on January 30 1645.
In recognition of her revolutionary achievements, the Bar Convent is sharing stories of Mary Ward’s life and a selection of her best-known and most relevant quotes across social media channels.
Quotes will also be displayed in the windows of the building in the hope that her words can offer inspiration, encouragement or strength during these trying times.
Fascinating story
Sister Ann Stafford, Superior at the Bar Convent, said: “Each year our religious communities and schools celebrate the life of Mary Ward, the founder of the religious order the Congregation of Jesus, who reside at the Bar Convent.
“Her fascinating story is told in our exhibition, however, due to the current circumstances, unfortunately we aren’t able to recognise her achievements as we had planned.
“However, we still hope to raise awareness of the impact that she had on women’s education and equality within religious orders and far beyond.
“We will be sharing some of her wise words and interesting facts each day on our social media channels throughout the week and we have also displayed some of her most powerful quotes in the windows of the Bar Convent Heritage Centre.
“Many of Mary Ward’s words still resonate today. If these words are perhaps able to offer some form of comfort to people during these difficult times, more than 300 years after her death, then I think that is a befitting tribute to her memory.”
More on the Bar Convent website.