Ignatian Spirituality

The founder of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) Mary Ward, directed her companions to become engaged with society and to be women characterised by a spirit of "freedom, justice and sincerity". She encouraged her followers to be open and discerning of the various movements of the times, "referring all things to God": to sift what is truly good from what diminishes. What suited her vision, and what has now become part of the heritage of the IBVM, is the approach adopted by St. Ignatius Loyola who summed up his insight as "finding God in all things". For both these leaders, daily life, the ordinary way of doing things, was viewed as the place where God works.

This spirit underpins St Mary’s College encouraging students to deepen their inner freedom, to become involved in creating a more just society and in building their confidence in becoming their true selves.