MADISON — Lent is a time for fasting, prayer, self-reflection, and entering into the suffering and beauty of the cross. It is a time to find our true identity in the mystery of the cross.
As women in the Church, we look for examples of how to unite ourselves to Christ and share in his mission to the world.
Wisdom from St. John Paul II
St. John Paul II gave women wisdom and insight into this through letters and documents focused on the dignity and vocation of women.
St. John Paul II gives the greatest example of this to be the Blessed Virgin. In his writings from Mulieris Dignitatem and the Genius of Women, John Paul states, “That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with a spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling.”He goes on, “May the Blessed Virgin help men and women in our time clearly understand God’s plan for femininity . . . may Mary obtain for women throughout the world an enlightened and active awareness of their dignity, gifts, and mission.”
Journey to the cross
What better time to reflect on Mary as a model of femininity than on her journey to the cross with Jesus. She offers something to the Lenten journey that is uniquely feminine in her sorrows at the cross.
Mary acts in perfect obedience as a daughter to the Father, she journeys in cooperation with the Spirit as a spouse, and she loves as a mother. She is the model and mirror of femininity to all women during this holy time. We as women can find in the Blessed Virgin our identity as a disciple of Christ.
Lenten Holy Hour
In an effort to reflect on our Lenten journey and on Mary as a model, the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis is sponsoring a Lenten Holy Hour and Confession for women at the Bishop O’Connor Center on Friday, March 27, at 7 p.m.
Very Rev. Tait Schroeder will be reflecting on “The Blessed Virgin: Mirror and Measure of Femininity.” The reflection will be followed by Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament along with time for individual confessions.
Fellowship will follow. Women of all ages are welcome.
For more information, contact the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at 608-821-3160. Register for the event at www.madisondiocese.org/Ministry/EvangelizationandCatechesis/Retreats/WomensRetreat.aspx
Michelle Nilsson is associate director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Diocese of Madison.