WOMEN’S GROUPSWomen of The Reformation

By: Mike Leuzzi, Chris Horn, Grant Cheung

ORDER OF THE COMPANY SAINT URSULA The Order of the company of Saint Ursula was an order of women dedicated to teach girls and giving them a good education.

It was started by Italian nun Angelia Merici

ORDER OF THE COMPANY SAINT URSULA

During this time period women in religious orders were given few responsibilities and rights. They remained in their convents and prayed. Attending to duties such as clean and preparing meals. Only men were allowed to educate or feed the poor

The Roman Catholic Church disagreed with the Orders efforts. They felt women should not be given an education and nuns should only be allowed to carry traditional duties

ORDER OF THE COMPANY OF SAINT URSULA

However, over time this view changed and the Catholic Church began to see positive benefits of allowing women to be educated.

An outstanding example of this is Mother Teresa, and the Missionaries of Charity. These women have made a tremendous difference alleviating suffering and educating the poor.

VISITATION OF HOLY MARY

The group was cofounded by Jane of Chantal and Francis of Sales in Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France

The group trained women to be teachers

At first the founder had not a religious order in mind he wished to form a congregation without external vows

The sisters (members) were free to go out to visit the sick and the poor

VISITATION OF HOLY MARY: MARY WARD

Mary Ward (one of the members of the group) began a network of schools for girls throughout Europe

When she first proposed her work it was denounced by anti-Jesuits and the church

Ward’s ideas about women were considered dangerously new

Later in Ward’s life her missionary influence was formally recognized by the church

MARY WARD: EARLY YEARS

Born in Yorkshire, England on January 23

Until she was nearly ten she lived with her grandparents Robert and Ursula Wright Sr

Her Grandmother taught her Latin and made her read the bible daily

Grew up in a very strict Catholic family at a time where Catholics were being persecuted

Mary Ward

MARY WARD: RELIGIOUS LIFE

She became a nun at 15, and a decade later founded the Institute of Mary.

She opened convents across Europe.  

She wanted of women's rights, mostly a right to education, which led to conflict with the Catholic Church

While in Germany in 1631 she was charged by the Inquisition with heresy, schism and rebellion

jailed for three months 

She was freed by a good amount of money but the Pope's order was to shut down her order of nuns.

She died in 1645 of natural causes

She also was called “venerable” which is the first step to being a saint

The Institute of Mary