Loreto House School

About Institution

THE INSTITUTE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (LORETO) was founded by Mary Ward (1585-1645), a dynamic English Catholic lady, during the most turbulent times in England when Catholics were being persecuted, and Europe was being troubled by religious intolerance and the rights of women were unheard of.
It was under these circumstances that Mary Ward, who had been called to a religious life when she was all of 15 years, took it upon herself to envision a very active order, working in society for the education and upliftment of women. The task set by our foundress continues to be carried out by her spiritual daughters and Mary Ward herself remains as an ever inspiring figure to young women worldwide. On 19th December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI declared Mary Ward as Venerable and recognition was given to her as a woman of heroic virtue.