I had never heard of Mary Ward, an Englishwoman in the seventeenth century who started an order of nuns unlike any before, until I read this book. Perhaps if I was Catholic I would have heard of this woman called "a lost feminist icon, a pioneer educationalist and an energetic advocate of the rights of women". Although I have my own doubts about religious vocations it does seem that these women believed in what they were doing.

The story follows Isabel Stanhope who was an intelligent young woman raised as a Catholic in the seventeenth century by her devout mother and grandmother. This was a time in England when Catholics were forbidden to practice their religion and priests who were caught performing religious rites were killed. Isabel's father, who was not Catholic, wanted Isabel to marry a cousin, Francis Bourne, but Isabel was convinced she had a religious vocation. When Isabel's brother, Robin, was imprisoned after the failed Gunpowder Plot the marriage became even more important because Francis would inherit the Stanhope property if Robin did not swear fealty to the Crown. Practically on the eve of their marriage Isabel was spirited away to St. Omer in Belgium and joined the English Ladies as the new order of religious women started by Mary Ward was then called. Isabel wrestled with doubts about the order, her "sisters", Mary Ward and even her own duty. Years passed while Mary Ward started houses and schools in other locations and was continually short of money. Isabel stuck with her despite her doubts until Mary went to Rome to seek the sanction of the Pope. Isabel saw that the Pope and the Catholic hierarchy wanted nothing to do with these women who wouldn't stay behind closed doors praying and singing. Isabel parted from Mary Ward and made her way back to England. But then what was she to do with her life? ( )