In celebration of International Women’s Month
March 2010
March 2010
The spontaneity of Veronica gives us an indication of the role of woman in the redeeming Church. She has a natural sense of faith and devotion, a deep intuitive grasp of the values of your message.
Woman is more of earth, more in touch with the here and now. She feels deeply with this sick child, with the neighbor who lost her husband, with a tragedy which takes place in the vicinity. Her emotions of love and tenderness and compassion are keenly sensitized. She moves first with the heart, then with the mind. She thinks in terms of hospitals and schools and playgrounds.
A mature and strong woman can do great things for the people of God. One who is selfish and possessive, an occasion of sin for others, can do great harm. Every great man has been cherished and inspired by sincere women. The downfall of every great man has been hastened by women who lost their sense of vocation.
Woman has always been the cradle of society. Now, you and the Church are asking her to become evermore the heart of the world. She is the guardian of decency and modesty. Only when she wakes to the harm being done by evil-minded men will the morals of society be changed. Her basic tenderness will reach out to the poor and oppressed. Her intuition and sensitivity will prompt her to expose the evils of injustice everywhere.
Let us pray,
Dear Lord,
Send us Monicas, and Teresas, and Brigits and Clares.
Give woman her true sense of dignity and vocation,
a true sense of equality as an image of God.
Make her realize the unique role she has among Your people.
Only when both men and women put their hearts and minds
wholly to the task will the work of Your redemption
of the world be accomplished.
Amen.
- From: The Shrine’s Everyday Prayer Book
Copyright 1978, The Reverend Oblate Fathers, Rome
Woman is more of earth, more in touch with the here and now. She feels deeply with this sick child, with the neighbor who lost her husband, with a tragedy which takes place in the vicinity. Her emotions of love and tenderness and compassion are keenly sensitized. She moves first with the heart, then with the mind. She thinks in terms of hospitals and schools and playgrounds.
A mature and strong woman can do great things for the people of God. One who is selfish and possessive, an occasion of sin for others, can do great harm. Every great man has been cherished and inspired by sincere women. The downfall of every great man has been hastened by women who lost their sense of vocation.
Woman has always been the cradle of society. Now, you and the Church are asking her to become evermore the heart of the world. She is the guardian of decency and modesty. Only when she wakes to the harm being done by evil-minded men will the morals of society be changed. Her basic tenderness will reach out to the poor and oppressed. Her intuition and sensitivity will prompt her to expose the evils of injustice everywhere.
Let us pray,
Dear Lord,
Send us Monicas, and Teresas, and Brigits and Clares.
Give woman her true sense of dignity and vocation,
a true sense of equality as an image of God.
Make her realize the unique role she has among Your people.
Only when both men and women put their hearts and minds
wholly to the task will the work of Your redemption
of the world be accomplished.
Amen.
- From: The Shrine’s Everyday Prayer Book
Copyright 1978, The Reverend Oblate Fathers, Rome
