Welcoming Mary Ward Peregrina to our Schools
Photo: Principals received a Mary Ward doll on behalf of their school communities at the Loreto Ministries Stewardship & Governance Conference. From left: Marina Ugonotti - Loreto Normanhurst, Nicole Archard - Loreto Kirribilli, Kim Wickham - Loreto College Coorparoo, Angela O’Dwyer - Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak, Daniel Mahon - John XXIII College, Christine Shaw - Loreto College Ballarat and Kylie McCullah - Loreto College Marryatville
What began with a simple message on social media became an extraordinary expression of friendship, faith and our shared mission.
At the 2026 Loreto Ministries Stewardship & Governance Conference, held at Loreto College Coorparoo, each Principal was presented with a Mary Ward doll to take back to their school community.
At first glance, they are delightful little dolls. But they represent something much greater: friendship, faith and the enduring bonds of our global Mary Ward family.
Inspired by the Mary Ward Peregrina initiative at Instituto de Educação Beatíssima Virgem Maria, a Mary Ward school in São Paulo, Brazil, we reached out to learn more. Just days later, they generously sent Mary Ward dolls for each of our schools, together with additional dolls for our Loreto communities in Timor-Leste, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Each Mary Ward doll will now begin a journey through its community, carrying prayers, hopes and intentions and serving as a visible reminder that although we are separated by oceans, we are united by one charism, one mission and one global Mary Ward family.
We are very grateful to the Pastoral Team at Instituto de Educação Beatíssima Virgem Maria and the Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus in Brazil for this beautiful expression of friendship, faith and our shared mission and look forward to following Mary Ward Peregrina’s journey through our schools and colleges in the months ahead.
Continue the journey
Each Mary Ward Peregrina is accompanied by two special prayers:
We invite you to pray and support the Cause for the Beatification of Mary Ward.
Learn more and sign the petition: Help have Mary Ward declared a Saint
Author: Communications & Marketing, Loreto Ministries
Published 27 July 2026