During the years between the two great wars it became apparent to two Catholic laywomen, one n doctor's daughter, the other a hospital nurse, that there was a great need for various forms of charitable activity in the countryside. They saw too, how a single-handed parish priest can be overworked and in need of help to enable him to carry on his apostolic work. They felt God was calling them to this end, so they gave up those things which go to make up the social life in the world, and while still living at home, consecrated themselves to God to be used as he willed in his service. They became tertiaries, and followed a rule of life. For some years it was very uphill work; they experienced great suffering and many difficulties until they were almost at breaking point, but they put their trust in God who, they believed, had called them to be his instruments in this work. In due course others with the same ideals joined them.