From Booklist
Readers will be surprised to find the strong feminist ideals evoked in this collection of essays written by sisters belonging to the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a Catholic institution that many would consider to be far from feminist. Many of the articles address traditional feminist concerns, such as power and economic freedom, while also emphasizing the individual strength and collective power of this tight-knit group. The sisters' stories also trace the history of the order, providing a window into their mysterious, secretive, contemplative lives and examining their relationships with one another, with other orders, and with the hierarchy of the church. Margaret Susan Thompson, a scholar on Catholic female religious orders, provides detailed information for those unfamiliar with the lifestyles, roles, and experiences of Catholic sisters. General readers and those concerned with Catholic religious orders or women's studies will find this well-written and straightforward work of interest. Kathleen Hughes
