VENERABLE MARY WARD
(1585 1645)
FOUNDRESS, INSTITUTE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (LORETO)
A WOMAN BEYOND COMPARE
Foundress of the Institute of the Blesses Virgin Mary (Loreto), Pioneer in the field of education, Mary Ward foresaw the need for a sound moral education for young women who would assume responsibility in society.
The serenity and confidence in God with which Mary Ward accepted opposition and sufferings make her a model of faith, trust and courage for all. Her conviction was that “Women in time to come will do much”.
In 1985 we celebrated the 4th Centenary of the birth of Mary Ward. In 2011, we celebrated the 4th Centenary of the founding of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the Congregation of Loreto). Although her aims and objectives of education were formulated in the early 17th century, so far- seeing was she, that the goals of our education today are, in essence, the same as the goals of our Foundress.
In modern society, the most important issues to be raised are issues of values and the translation of these values into action. Hence, the goal of our education today continues to be all-round development of the child. This prepares every student to take her place and make her contribution to society.
Thus, Loreto education today follows the goals set by Mary Ward – that incomparable woman, who saw Integrity, justice, Freedom and Love as essential qualities for any person.
MOTHER TERESA BALL
Francis Ball was born in Ireland in 1794, and educated at St. Mary's Convent, a boarding school run by the members of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in York, England.
She heard the unmistakable call of God "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His justice and all these things will be added unto you."
At the age of twenty, Francis returned to York to enter the novitiate, preparing herself for the foundation of the Institution of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ireland, and made her profession as Mother Teresa.
In 1821 Teresa Ball established the first House of the Institute in Ireland and called it Loreto, the name by which all the subsequent foundations made from Ireland are still known.
MOTHER DELPHINE HART
Loreto in India owes its origin to a visit by Dr. Bakhaus to Loreto Abbey, Ireland, in 1840 to request Mother Teresa Ball to send sisters to set up a school for Catholic children in Calcutta.
In 1841, Mother Teresa Ball sent seven Loreto Sisters and five Postulants, all in their twenties, under the leadership of Delphine Hart to India, announcing that they would probably never see their homeland again.
They were welcomed at Calcutta by Bishop Carew, and installed at Loreto House, 7 Middleton Row. They were the first congregation of Sisters to come to North India.
LORETO DAY SCHOOL, BOWBAZAR
FOUNDED : 1844
Loreto Bowbazar was established in 1844 on the 8th of December. It was known as St. Francis Xavier Convent. It was originally a small private school owned by Mr. & Mrs. Cooper. Comprising boarders from the middle income group, who paid fees. A Free School was also running parallel to the paid school. There were both boys and girls studying in the school. In 1845 the Christian Brothers took charge of the boys. Loreto Bowbazar was the second assignment for the young Loreto Sisters who came to India from Ireland and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary 15, Portuguese Church Street, Kolkata 700001 was their first port of call after reaching India in 1841, on the 30th of December.
In 1845 the Loreto Sisters were asked to help in the Medical College Hospital temporarily. The Sisters managed the domestic & household duties. They managed the provisions & looked after the ladies in the Female Ward. This arrangement proved to be economical for the doctors. In 1857 the year of the Mutiny, there was a rumour that trouble might spread to Calcutta. The people from the suburbs were removed to Fort William area and the orphans and Sisters from Loreto Entally were moved to Loreto Bowbazar.
In 1882 the school in Bowbazar which was operating from a house given by Mr. Cooper was given to the free section of St. Joseph’s. A new property was acquired for the 300 children of Loreto Bowbazar. In 1882 the premises of Loreto Bowbazar was completed. The Concert Hall and other improvements were made. The building grant sanctioned by the government, was not sufficient therefore it had to be supplemented by Dr. Goethals. They still needed money for furniture and additional halls.
In 1884 the new Church was built on the ground of the free school. A free school was to be built on a new plot which was purchased. At that time, the only middle school scholarship open to competition was won by Loreto Bowbazar. Among the primary scholarships available Loreto Bowbazar also won two.
Loreto Bowbazar was always affiliated to the Education Department of the State.
The school leaving certificate offered then was Matriculation, later called the Madhyamik Pariksha of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Examination. In 1976 the first batch appeared for the Higher Secondary Examination of the West Bengal Education Council. Until 1986 the Modern School Final Examination conducted by the West Bengal Government was also offered.
Today, the school is affiliated to the CISCE and offers the ICSE and ISC courses. Our curriculum is centred around the twin pillars of our philosophy – Preferential Love for the Poor and Nurturing to Freedom.