Immolata Wetter CJ, Mary Ward under the Shadow of the Inquisition

Mary Ward (1585-1645) was a recusant, an English Catholic living with the threat of persecution. Only in exile could she develop her sense of vocation. It was from that difficult situation that she was inspired to found an institute of religious women modelled on the Society of Jesus. They lived unenclosed, dedicating themselves to education and pastoral care. But the idea was ahead of its time. Church authorities would not allow Mary Ward’s institute to become established, and eventually suppressed it harshly.

Immolata Wetter’s Mary Ward under the Shadow of the Inquisition enhances significantly our understanding of Mary Ward’s conflicts with the papacy. Drawing on newly available material from the Inquisition archives, Sr Immolata traces in detail the most acute phase of the struggle. Mary Ward was creative and tenacious in the pursuit of her vocation, but an innocent when it came to the papal court’s subtleties. For its part the Vatican felt threatened by the questions she was raising, and went to quite extraordinary lengths in restraining her. The clash of cultures and personalities generates a drama that is both striking and moving.

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