It was this state of affairs which led
to the inauguration of the Anglican Mothers'
Union. It was this that suggested the
desirability of forming a similar Society on
Catholic lines, which might prove a real service
to the Church. With the help of her sister,
Agnes, she drew up a scheme for a Union of
Catholic Mothers and together they wrote the 'UCM
Prayer', which received an indulgence from
Cardinal Bourne and later from the Holy Father.
Both the scheme and the prayer were submitted to
the Archbishop of Birmingham who gave his
sanction and approval. This was soon endorsed by
the Hierarchy.
In
1913, at a meeting in Leeds, the CWL received the
mandate from His Eminence Cardinal Bourne
entrusting the carrying out of the scheme to the
Catholic Women's League. The Cardinal considered
that the UCM had something of its own to
contribute - the insistence on the sacramental
character and permanence of marriage, a Catholic
education for their children and their training
as public spirited citizens; and their active
share of good works in the world, combined with a
deep spiritual culture.
Ethelreda's
mother, Lady Catherine Berkeley was the first UCM
President, but it was a Mrs Radcliffe who came
from Birmingham, and was elected as UCM President
there, who became the most enthusiastic and
energectic organiser. It was due to her that the
work of The UCM took root.
The
original groups were in Bath, Birmingham,
Boscombe, Brighton, Cambridge, Hartlepool,
Huddersfield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Salford and
Woverhampton.
It
was not until 1923 that The UCM was reorganised,
although even then the formation of a foundation
needed the consent of the local CWL.
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