Let’s Celebrate the Anniversary of the Loretto Sisters (IBVM)
On January 23, 2025, The Angel Foundation for Learning will celebrate the anniversary of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM) in Canada, which is also the birth date of Mary Ward, the founder of the Loretto Sisters.
Arriving in Toronto in 1847, the Loretto Sisters have a long tradition of educational leadership and support. They founded and led a number of Toronto Catholic elementary schools including St Paul, St Patrick, St Mary and St. Alphonsus, as well as Loretto College School and Loretto Abbey. Both high schools continue to enjoy a close relationship with members of the Order. Bearing the name of its founder, Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School naturally has close ties with the IBVM.
Did you know that Saint Mother Teresa was also a Loretto Sister? As an 18-year old, she joined the Order at Loretto Abbey in Rathfarnham, Ireland. The TCDSB’s own St. Mother Teresa Catholic Academy proudly carries on her spirit of charitable works in the Scarborough Community.
Many of the Sisters served as teachers, and principals in TCDSB schools including Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, St Anthony, St Basil, St Cecilia, St Helen, St James and St Martin.
The Loretto Sisters also have a enduring legacy providing food, clothing, shelter and hope to newcomers. AFL is proud of its partnership with Sister Evanne Hunter and the IBVM to ensure that the Loretto Fund remains viable and is able to help the many students and their families arriving in TCDSB schools from around the world fleeing war, famine, poverty, or persecution.
Thanks to the generosity of the Sisters, and with the support of those who give to the AFL throughout the year, the Loretto Fund has provided much needed assistance to hundreds of students arriving from Ukraine and other countries over the past year.
All TCDSB schools are invited to join in the
celebration anytime in January by:
- Raising money to support the Loretto Fund
- Holding a January Civvies Day in honour of Mary Ward & the Loretto Sisters
- Sharing the information with your staff and parent community and ask them to consider making a special donation to the Loretto Fund: https://angelfoundationforlearning.org/donate/
- Talk to students about the history and tradition of the Loretto Sisters
- Remembering the Loretto Sisters in your daily prayers
- Sharing your school’s connection with the IBVM on social media (Twitter, Instagram) and tagging AFL in your posts.
- Encouraging students to write congratulatory cards and letters to thank the Sisters for all that they have done, and continue to do, to support Catholic education, and newcomer students and families.
2025 Loretto Sisters IBVM Day Civvies Day Flyer
AFL Kicks Off the New Year Celebrating the Loretto Sisters and Mary Ward:
This year, January 8th 2025, AFL is joining TCDSB's four Loretto Sisters secondary schools: Loretto College, Loretto Abbey, St Mother Teresa, & Mary Ward to kick off the celebration of Loretto Sisters day and Mary Ward's Birthday. The four schools are bringing together their four A Teams, to share the history of Mary Ward and the Loretto Sisters with each other, members of AFL, members of the TCDSB and even some TCDSB elementary schools.
Thank you to Loretto College for hosting this wonderful event. Thank you to Loretto College, Loretto Abbey, St. Mother Teresa, & Mary Ward's A Teams for keeping the spirit of the Loretto Sisters and Mary Ward alive as you continue to share their history and all they did for Toronto and the Toronto Catholic Education System.
Check out this short video celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Loretto Sisters (2023):