The Catholic Women's League was originally started in 1906 with the aim of educating and encouraging women to play a role in the work of the Church at home and abroad. Our founder Margaret Fletcher was a spiritual person who became converted to Catholicism after reading some of the work of St John of the Cross. She worked tirelessly for the education of women. Margaret Fletcher insisted that the League needed women with "balanced common-sense" and it should "utilise the average woman in convincing the Catholic world that business-like methods and intellectual gifts are excellent weapons in the service of God".

Our patron saint, Margaret Clitherow, was also a convert. Her house in the Shambles became a centre for celebrating Mass and a school to educate Catholic children. Together with another heroic woman Dorothy Vavasour she ran a home where mothers were able to ensure the baptism of their children. The 16th century in England was a dangerous place to be if you were a Catholic. Government spies were everywhere, including York, where they watched Margaret Clitherow's house. A raid took place and, although the priest escaped, Mass vestments were found, thus providing proof that "she had harboured and maintained Jesuits and Seminary", a crime punishable by death. Margaret Clitherow was arrested, tried and condemned to death. Her martyrdom, which took the form of her being crushed to death, took place in York on 25th March 1586. Her last words were: "Jesu! Jesu! Jesu! Have mercy on me!"

We are affiliated to the world of Catholic Women's Organisations and as such we are represented at the United Nations.

Following our founder and patron saint, our group is concerned to work for a more equal world through our spiritual life, through our charitable works and through our support to each other. This year we are supporting the Medaille Community in its work to provide safe houses for women who have been forced into the sex trade. Many of these women have been brought into this country under false pretences and have been kept here against their will. They came with high hopes of being able to work and provide much needed funds for their families at home. Instead they lost their passports, their freedom and their dignity. As one women put it, "I feel dirty. I feel that my soul will never ever be clean".

We usually meet on the third Wednesday of each month. A programme diary is available each year

 

The CWL Mass is usually on the third Wednesday of the month. All members are encouraged to attend whenever possible. All special ministers/readers should arrive early for CWL Masses. It is important that you prepare adequately for these duties.