British nun elected head of Mary Ward sisters
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For the first time since the eighteenth century, a British nun has been elected the worldwide leader of the Congregation of Jesus. Sister Jane Livesey was elected General Superior of the order by over 60 members of the congregation, founded by the Venerable Mary Ward in 1609, gathered for the election in Loyola, Spain.
“These are exciting times for us with challenging opportunities opening up in parts of the world where the need for evangelization is urgent,” Sr Jane said. “With vocations beginning to pick up in Mary Ward's own country as well, it feels good to be part of a religious life that is open to the call of today and tomorrow.” Sisters representing countries from Argentina to Zimbabwe, including recent foundations in Mongolia and Cuba were present, as were British and German sisters from the historic Bar Convent, York & houses founded in Germany in the first generation after Mary Ward (1585-1609). The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto) sisters, who also count Mary Ward as their founder sent two members as observers. Both orders together number nearly 3,000 sisters worldwide, with their respective headquarters in Rome. Mary Ward was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI, a former pupil of a CJ school in Germany, during the recent 400th anniversary of her order’s founding.  Go Back |
Sr Jane was headmistress of St. Mary's School, Shaftesbury from 1985-1998 before becoming provincial superior in Britain, where the novitiate has recently re-opened at the Bar Convent alongside its flourishing conference and pastoral centres.