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Feminine Dimensions of Catholicism

This is a summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily delivered at St. Charles on August 15, 2004, Feast of the Assumptions

RECENTLY I ASKED A YOUNG WOMAN who wanted to participate in the RCIA Program, "Why do you wish to join the Catholic Church at this time?" She answered, "Because I have always been touched by the feminine dimension of Catholicism." Since I was not aware of our Church as a great champion of women's rights, I asked her to clarify. She added, "Catholics have a special devotion to Mary. As a young woman today I feel very much attracted by the special aspect this provides to spirituality."

The recent Vatican document "On the collaboration of men and women in the Church and the world" makes the same point. " Mary is a mirror placed before the Church, in which the Church is invited to recognize her own identity. The existence of Mary is an invitation to the Church to root her very being in listening and receiving the Word of God." She is blessed among women. This feast of Mary is a suitable time to reflect on the dignity of all women. The Roman Congregation continues, "Women should be present in the world of work and in the organization of society, and have access to positions of responsibility which allow them to inspire the policies of nations and to promote innovative solutions to economic and social problems." I wish Cardinal Ratzinger had included ecclesiastical problems!

Reflecting on Marian devotion the Vatican asserts, "To look at Mary and to imitate her does not mean that the Church should adopt a passivity inspired by an outdated conception of femininity." This calls us to fresh perspectives on the role of Mary. In times past we have so emphasized her docility and subservience that we have provided to some an excuse for patriarchalism and male dominance. A false humility allows for an easy tolerance that often ends up in abuse. When I served in the Dominican Republic I became aware of a much more forceful image of Mary, Maria de la lucha, Mary of the Struggle. This title takes its origins from the words of today's Gospel. In her Magnificat Mary sings, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. The Almighty has done great things for me. He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has cast down the might from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty." Mary proclaimed a promised kingdom that would bring equality and justice to all the excluded and marginalized of the earth.

The struggle for human dignity and the rights of women are the fruit of a Marian devotion that finds its root in the biblical dream of a new heaven and a new earth. This was the vision of the prophets that illuminates the life and witness of Mary and her son Jesus.

P.S. I will conduct an open forum on this topic at the September 12 Conversation with Creedon, 7 PM Benedict Hall. Come and dialogue with me on the implications of this homily for family, society and Church.

  or  2004 Homilies