Guide for Catholic Young Women

I N the course of my work as a missionary priest, for many years past, I have been brought in contact with many thousands of all classes of the community. Among them all, none have interested and encouraged me more than the girls who earn their living by their own hard labor. I have often admired the beautiful examples of Christian virtue and character I have found among them; their heroic patience and contentment with their lot; the innocence and purity of their lives; their noble self.denial and disinterestedness, and the singleness of mind with which they look above this world and aspire to perfect themselves in the love of God. This has led me to wish to do something for them; to contribute what little I could to lay a solid foundation in some, and to increase in others what has been already well begun, so that they may become beautiful and fragrant flowers in the garden of the Lord. I feel that my work will not be in vain, for the hearts of these good girls are a good soil, which, as Scripture says, receives the seed of the Word with thankfulness, and produces abundant fruit. My work has been a pleasant one, and I have striven to keep but one thing in view, and that is to do as much good as possible. If the good girls for whom I have written it find pleasure and profit in it, my whole purpose will have been accomplished.