Community of St Mary the Virgin CSMV Founded 1848 St Mary's Convent Challow Road, Wantage Oxfordshire, OX12 9DJ UK Tel: 01235 763141 01235 760170 (Guest Wing) Email: sisters.csmv@btinternet.com

The Community of St Mary the Virgin was founded in 1848 by William John Butler, then Vicar of Wantage. As Sisters, we are called to respond to our vocation in the spirit of the Blessed Virgin Mary: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word." Our common life is centred in the worship of God through the Eucharist, the daily Office and in personal prayer. From this all else flows. For some it will be expressed in outgoing ministry in neighbourhood and parish, or in living alongside those in inner city areas. For others, it will be expressed in spiritual direction, preaching and retreat giving, in creative work in studio and press, or in forms of healing ministry. Sisters also live and work among the elderly at St Katharine’s House, our care Home for Elderly People in Wantage.
The Community has a share in nurturing and training a small indigenous community in Madagascar (see entry for the FMJK). It was also in India and South Africa for many years. Involvement with both these countries remains through ‘Wantage Overseas’, and, in India, through contact with our one remaining Indian Sister. Our links with South Africa are maintained by the groups of Oblates and Associates living there.

Mother Barbara Claire CSMV
(Reverend Mother, assumed office 8 December 1997)

Other Addresses
366 High Street, Smethwick, B66 3PD, UK
Tel: 0121 558 0094

St Katharine’s House, Ormond Road, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 8EA, UK
Tel: 01235 762739

St Mary’s Lodge, Challow Road, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 9DH, UK
Tel: 01235 767112

116 Seymour Road, Harringay, London N8 0BG, UK
Tel: 020 8348 3477

For further details, obtain a copy of
The Anglican Religious Communities Year Book