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From their web site:

A 17th century artist's depiction of Mary Ward, founder of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with her early companions

The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary., The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, often called "the Loretto Sisters" was founded by the Englishwoman Mary Ward in 1609. Her dream was to begin a new kind of community of women religious - an independent, self-governing congregation patterned after the model of the Society of Jesus, free of the confines of the cloisters, and responding to the urgent needs of her time."

The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Who we are

IBVM Loreto Sisters are women drawn to companionship in the service in the Gospel. Inspired by Mary Ward and the Ignatian spiritual tradition, we strive to support growth into freedom through spiritual ministries, education, and any other works which meet the needs of our times.

Time to send a memo to Benedict XVI

Her dream was to begin a new kind of community of women religious - an independent, self-governing congregation patterned after the model of the Society of Jesus, free of the confines of the cloisters, and responding to the urgent needs of her time."

Aaah, freedom, freedom from the 'confines' of the cloister, as though the cloister must be a negative.

Although Christians in India have been persecuted in recent years, Mother Teresa and her sisters responded to the urgent needs of their time without sacrificing Catholic beliefs or a rich and full prayer life that included Adoration and the Rosary. Perhaps Srs. Helen and Barbara could indeed take a lesson from the good example of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity.

The cloister and a full prayer life and Adoration do not have to be negatives.

This nun, Mother Angelica, and her sisters have done remarkable work, worldwide, in a relatively short time, without divorcing themselves from the 'confines' of the cloister or a rich prayerlife.

Catholic homeschool bump:

http://www.love2learn.net