When Yorkshire woman Mary Ward first heard the words 'Glory, Glory, Glory' in 1609 little did she realise that this glory would spread throughout the world and on all continents. Nor could she have possibly understood the extent of her prophetic words, 'Women in time to come will do much'.

The Jubilee celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Mary Ward's Institute, have been taking place in many and various ways around the world in communities, parishes, retreat houses, families, schools, colleges and wherever the Mary Ward Sisters (Loreto and Congregation of Jesus) have lived and worked.

The official celebrations for this Jubilee year began in York on 29 January 2009. At the invitation of the Dean and Chapter, Mass was celebrated in York Minster. The principal celebrant on that occasion was his Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor. It was a joyous, memorable and historic occasion, attended by over two thousand people.

Last Saturday, 23 January, Sister Eileen McConnon, Leader of the Loreto English province, welcomed the two thousand people again. This time the venue was Westminster Cathedral, to celebrate Mary Ward's birthday and the official ending of the 2009 Jubilee Year. Once again it was a spectacular and memorable occasion. The main Celebrant was Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. Surrounded by bishops, clergy, altar servers and representatives from the entire people of God, Mary Ward's sisters came together to celebrate her life and legacy. The lugubriousness of the cathedral was lifted by the beautiful banners of Freedom, Sincerity and Justice specially commissioned for the Jubilee. They hung in splendour at Westminster as they had in York. And at the lectern on the sanctuary was the Jubilee banner created by our own Lily Freeston who left college last summer. It was wonderful to see so many men, women and children gathering in the name of Mary Ward and what a thrill to find the words 'Venerable' Mary Ward on the front of the Mass booklet!

At the end of the Mass Jane Livesey, leader of the English Province of the Congregation of Jesus, reminded us that this was Mary Ward's birthday and there would indeed be a party. Everyone was invited to the Royal Horticultural Society for what turned out to be a splendid feast with plenty of room to meet friends.

There were many glory moments, not least the reunion of old friends and families, together with those who were relatively new to the family of Mary Ward. It was a privilege to be in the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Saint Omer - where Mary Ward had her first house of the Institute and which holds a special place in the hearts of all the Sisters today. The two Congregational leaders, Marian and Mechtild had travelled from Rome to share in the momentous event.

The music and singing were inspiring as was the Offertory Procession. Here Mary Ward herself led a troupe of women which included Jane Austen, Florence Nightingale, a member of the Women's Land Army and present day students at Loreto College St Albans! It was powerful in its message and visually a delight. (Costumes courtesy of the National Theatre!)

Archbishop Vincent Nichols captured his audience early in his homily by referring to Mary Ward's shoes. They fascinated him, he said, and went on to remind us that 'They say you can tell a great deal about a woman from her shoes.' But his homily was in no way flippant. He spoke of Mary Ward's journeys, her struggles, her determination and single-mindedness in seeking out the will of God and following it.

However, Vincent Nichols was not the only Archbishop taking part in this celebration. Mary Ward must have given a wry smile of delight at the presence of Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on this very special occasion. Dr Williams gave an address after the Distribution of Holy Communion. Of course no Archbishop of Canterbury could speak of Mary Ward without recalling the time when she visited Lambeth Palace and, discovering that the Archbishop was out, scratched her initials on a window pane. Here again, there was no flippancy in the Archbishop's words. In a measured and strong but gentle voice he spoke of a 'Eucharist of simplicity'. Echoing Mary Ward's words he urged us that we might 'Want to be what we see; we want to be what we say.'

At the end of this Communion reflection Mary Ward's sisters broke into spontaneous applause. There was no other way to respond. The wheel had come full circle.