The Pope, in an important letter to Mgr. Joseph Charbonneau, Archbishop of Montreal, in connection with the International Study Week to be held in that city, gives three important principles for the formation of the Y.C.W.
The first is "the sound knowledge of the truths of the faith which their study circles should make deep and strengthen," the second, " the loyal practice of Catholic morality fed by the frequent reception of the Sacraments, the third. " the deep attachment to the Church through the Hierarchy in which resides the authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ."
These, says the Holy Father, are essential conditions of all true Catholic Action through which "lay people can themselves exercise as St. Peter said in an inspired metaphor a royal priesthood.'" The Holy Father goes on to discuss the international aspect of the work of the Y.C.W. The Pope says that it is necessary in these days of technical advance, when barriers between countries and continents are being dropped and when the same questions crop up not only in several countries but also on the international level, that the Y.C.W. should adopt " a unity of method and action " in all the countries in which it is established.
The letter in French signed personally by the Pope is reprinted in the Osservatore Romano.