Centuries after foundress Mary Ward prophesied that “Women in time to come will do much," her Loretto Sisters are seeing Ward's promise alive and well in generations of young women and graduates.

As IBVM (Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary) Day returns on Jan. 23, the newly unified Congregation of Jesus continues to reflect on a legacy of education and excellence that refuses to fade. 

Three years ago, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) passed a motion to make Jan. 23 IBVM Day, commemorating the enduring heritage of the Loretto Sisters and their impact on Catholic education in Toronto and Canada at large. 

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The Loretto Sisters' mission in North America goes back nearly 180 years to the invitation of Bishop Michael Power, the first Bishop of Toronto. It was in 1847 that five Loretto Sisters under the guidance of Mother Teresa Ellen Dease arrived in the city and founded their first school to begin educating children of Irish immigrants. 

As the first religious teachers in the newly formed Diocese of Toronto, the Lorettos' presence allowed for upwards of 75 schools to be supervised, managed or led by the Sisters over the ensuing years, notably Loretto Abbey, Loretto College, Mary Ward and St. Mother Teresa.

“ The Sisters really made an effort to promote the vision and charism of Mary Ward, and even when I was in high school in Loretto in Stratford in the ’50s, it was a big deal, we always had a big celebration for Mary Ward Day,” said Sr. Evanne Hunter, a former principal of Loretto Abbey for 15 years and current education liaison. 

“When the Toronto Catholic District School Board took over the schools in 1987, we were kind of worried about what would happen to that vision, charism and history, but it was needless as the board has appointed amazing principals for both Loretto College School and Loretto Abbey, who have promoted Mary Ward's legacy very well for years.”  

Taking place on the birthday of founder Mary Ward, initial celebrations as IBVM Day were centred around  each high school and elementary school where Loretto Sisters had taught, hosting a fundraiser for the Loretto Fund and the Angel Foundation, which was established to support newcomer children in their schools. The first celebration in 2023 also marked 175 years since the teachers' arrival in Canada, and through a collaborative effort last year, students from all four schools came together for Mass and celebrations at Loretto College. 

On Jan. 7, around 125 students and staff from the four Loretto-founded schools gathered at Mary Ward Centre for an afternoon of reflection, discussion, lunch and Holy Mass together, with Loretto College hosting another prayer service and celebrations on Jan. 21. 

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Reflecting on Mary Ward’s call to “do good and do it well”, Hunter shared the deep joy she gets from seeing the work of generations of sisters recognized and carried forward by the lay educators and young women of today. 

“ Personally, it makes me so happy that the work of all of these sisters for over a hundred years is being recognized, but also the fact that we were all teachers who did our best. Now, laypeople are doing what we did, and the girls are imbued with it; they carry it out in their lives and in every field they’ve been Mary Ward women, and they've thrived and made a difference,” she said. 

“The kids appreciate it, and when I talk to them, I focus on what Mary Ward's other quote is about in listening to God's deep dream and trying to respond, this idea of vocations as opposed to careers. I’ll ask, ‘What is it that you want to be remembered for at the end of your life? Is it that you got married and had a big wedding, or that you helped change the life of one other person?' ” 

Outside of the schools, the Loretto community itself also continues to celebrate globally, with sisters expected to join together at Presentation Manor to watch and celebrate Daily TV Mass, a program they have sponsored in the past. Follow-up events also include a virtual meeting with associates and a Jan. 30 gathering of staff and colleagues from Loretto College and St. Michael's College School. 

As this month’s IBVM Day celebrations wind down, the Loretto Sisters will continue 2026 embracing their full identity as the Congregation of Jesus (CJ), sealed by a  reunion with the Irish branch from which they came and a merger on Nov. 4, 2025. For Hunter, the future is one that completes their foundress' 400-year dream in name at last.

Now, as one global body, the CJ will deepen witness to unity in a fractured world, continuing to educate, advocate and serve with the same fearless spirit that first brought the first Catholic teachers to Toronto so many years ago. 

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