Sister Mary of St. Francis, S. N. D - Hon. Laura Petre (Stafford-Jerningham) #233086

I have been asked by the Superior-General of the Sisters of Notre Dame, to edit and revise this life of one to whom her whole congregation owes, and will ever owe, an immense debt of veneration and gratitude.<br><br>It is true that a memoir of Sister Mary of St. Francis has already been published by the late Miss A. M. Clarke under the title of Life of the Hon. Mrs. Edward Petre. But this biography is now out of print, and it is thought that there is room for another, written by one of Mrs. Petre's own sisters in religion, and giving more intimate details of her spiritual life and her marvellous labours for souls, than could possibly be recorded by an outsider, however well-informed.<br><br>Until I read the manuscript, I candidly confess that I was doubtful of the wisdom of the undertaking, but I have been completely converted by its perusal, and I think that a very large number of readers will agree with me that this life is too good to be lost. I cannot but believe that many besides myself will be profoundly edified and delighted by this simple record of a beautiful life. My task as Editor has been confined for the most part to mere abridgment, and even this has been undertaken with some reluctance lest the grand lines of the picture should be spoilt by the meddling of an unskilful hand.