By Anne Marie Walker in Times
St Valentine's Day is an important day for most people but this year it is especially important. Why? Is it going to be particularly chocolate-filled? Will there be a mountain of roses? No. It will be the 80th anniversary of the start of the women's section in Opus Dei and as a woman in Opus Dei that's really important to me.
Opus Dei began life on 2 October 1928 when a young Fr Josemaría Escriva caught the tiniest glimpse of God's plan for him within the Catholic Church. At that time, he believed that it would only be for men. However, two years later, while celebrating Mass on 14 February 1930, he realised that women were very much part of Opus Dei.
Sixty-two years later, in January 1992, I joined those women of Opus Dei. At the time I was an undergraduate studying English and Publishing from a Marxist and Feminist perspective. Feminism, as far as I could make out, was defined as women imitating men in the worst possible ways. Needless to say I was not impressed so I was fascinated to discover the Catholic Church's teaching on an alternative Feminism.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
St. Josemaria: The saint is not the person who never falls
By St. Josemaria in Friends of God
The saint is not the person who never falls, but rather the one who never fails to get up again, humbly and with a holy stubbornness.
If the book of Proverbs says that the just man falls seven times a day, who are we poor creatures, you and I, to be surprised or discouraged by our own weaknesses and falls!
We will be able to keep going ahead, if only we seek our fortitude in him who says: 'Come to me all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest.' Thank you, Lord, quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea, because you, and you alone, my God, have always been my strength, my refuge and my support.
If you really want to make progress in the interior life, be humble. Turn constantly and confidently to the help of Our Lord and of his Blessed Mother, who is your Mother too.
No matter how much the still open wound of your latest fall may hurt, embrace the cross once more and, calmly, without getting upset, say: 'With your help, Lord, I'll fight so as not to be held back. I'll respond faithfully to your invitations. I won't be afraid of steep climbs, nor of the apparent monotony of my daily work, nor of the thistles and loose stones on the way. I know that I am aided by your mercy and that, at the end of the road, I will find eternal happiness, full of joy and love for ever and ever.'
The saint is not the person who never falls, but rather the one who never fails to get up again, humbly and with a holy stubbornness.
If the book of Proverbs says that the just man falls seven times a day, who are we poor creatures, you and I, to be surprised or discouraged by our own weaknesses and falls!
We will be able to keep going ahead, if only we seek our fortitude in him who says: 'Come to me all you who labour and are burdened and I will give you rest.' Thank you, Lord, quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea, because you, and you alone, my God, have always been my strength, my refuge and my support.
If you really want to make progress in the interior life, be humble. Turn constantly and confidently to the help of Our Lord and of his Blessed Mother, who is your Mother too.
No matter how much the still open wound of your latest fall may hurt, embrace the cross once more and, calmly, without getting upset, say: 'With your help, Lord, I'll fight so as not to be held back. I'll respond faithfully to your invitations. I won't be afraid of steep climbs, nor of the apparent monotony of my daily work, nor of the thistles and loose stones on the way. I know that I am aided by your mercy and that, at the end of the road, I will find eternal happiness, full of joy and love for ever and ever.'
Friday, February 12, 2010
At the heart is woman
By Mercedes B. Suleik in Business World
Next Sunday, February 14, of course is hearts and flowers and sugary greeting cards day once again. This year, though, a number of other celebrations coincide with this holiday -- one of which is, for the Chinese, and others who like to join in, the start of the new year of the Tiger with its prognostications for what the golden tiger will bring to business, what good luck and progress may be expected as the year rolls on.
Two other events being celebrated on February 14 are not so well known but are significant for Opus Dei: the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Branch, and the founding of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross in 1943.
This article is not intended to describe Opus Dei (which I do not consider myself capable of). What I wish to take note of is the founding of the Women’s Branch of Opus Dei on Feb. 14, 1930 (I shall not discuss the other anniversary) -- a date which was long before the term "women’s liberation" (first used in the US in 1964) was invented. Originally, as I know it, the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaria Escriva, had envisioned the Work as a movement for men in the secular world, and how they could respond to the call for holiness in their spheres of work. In 1930, however, he received the inspiration that the universality of Opus Dei must be reflected not only by embracing people in every sort of profession, but also by including women in its apostolic work, albeit done separately, in recognition of their different pastoral needs.
Next month, March, has for some time been declared Women’s Month. I shall jump the gun ahead of others who would be writing about topics related to women, and feminism as it is foisted upon women these days, and write about what being a woman means to me, and relatedly, how womanhood is uplifted by the words of St. Josemaria and the late beloved Pope John Paul II.
What I found interesting is the way woman is understood by both of them, and how they say that woman is not a "lesser man" as feminists imply when they want to imitate men and "fulfill" themselves only if they become "copies" of the other sex, or as they prefer to say, gender. I found this quote in an article: "Feminists have charged that Judaism and Christianity are sexist religions with a male God and traditions of male leadership that legitimate the superiority of men in family and society." I guess this is the whole object of "sexism" which some say should be abolished, thereby allowing women to be "themselves."
Let me share what I agree is the role of woman. It is "defined by two factors: her identity and her self determination. A woman, just like a man, has to be able to choose her own future, to pursue her own life project. To do this she must have the same opportunities as a man. And she will do this by reason of her own identity, being who she is without falling into the temptation of mimicry, without imitating the customs and manners of men, thinking that in this way she will find herself." (Patricia Mayorga, in El Mercurio, Santiago, 1996)
In a sense, Josemaria Escriva’s ideas arrived many decades ahead of time. It was this foresight that enabled Centers of Opus Dei directed by women to be opened, because at the time hardly anyone believed that a woman could survive independently, without the help of a male partner, at least in what referred to the economic sphere and authority. It was foresight to encourage them from the beginning to develop activities with a wide range of apostolic activities in all fields and professions. He said to them, "You have all the conditions to be independent: in your own sphere of influence, since I have always been of the opinion that you should be autonomous, in your economic and corporate activities." Surely, these were revolutionary ideas, at that time, and even today.
Beloved Holy Father John Paul II also defended the rights of woman, praised their unique quality as helper and partner of man, and not as one inferior to him. He preached a new feminism that redefines the vocation and mission of woman, calling it the "genius of woman." He shows that she is gifted with a special sense for the concrete person, that she looks at persons with her heart, seeing persons independently of political or ideological systems. Sadly, our world today is so dominated by hedonism and a consumeristic culture that it is in danger of being depersonalized. The Holy Father felt that it needs the "genius of woman" to save and protect it from this threat.
So much rhetoric has been poured on the concern for "freeing" women from the so-called male-dominated socio-political and socio-cultural shackles, when, in fact, what is needed is to harness this "feminine genius" in all sectors of society -- whether they are running schools, active in businesses, working in the fields, working as politicians, journalists and artists, or working exclusively in work at the home. At the heart of progress in the community, society, and the nation, it has to be recognized that women play a key role -- as themselves, and not as poor imitations of the male.
The anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Center 80 years ago is a telling reminder that the Church has always considered woman as an equal of man. Each woman, in her own sphere of life, if she is faithful to her divine and human vocation, can achieve the fullness of her feminine personality, and indeed, "hold up half the sky" as an old saying goes.
Next Sunday, February 14, of course is hearts and flowers and sugary greeting cards day once again. This year, though, a number of other celebrations coincide with this holiday -- one of which is, for the Chinese, and others who like to join in, the start of the new year of the Tiger with its prognostications for what the golden tiger will bring to business, what good luck and progress may be expected as the year rolls on.
Two other events being celebrated on February 14 are not so well known but are significant for Opus Dei: the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Branch, and the founding of the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross in 1943.
This article is not intended to describe Opus Dei (which I do not consider myself capable of). What I wish to take note of is the founding of the Women’s Branch of Opus Dei on Feb. 14, 1930 (I shall not discuss the other anniversary) -- a date which was long before the term "women’s liberation" (first used in the US in 1964) was invented. Originally, as I know it, the founder of Opus Dei, Josemaria Escriva, had envisioned the Work as a movement for men in the secular world, and how they could respond to the call for holiness in their spheres of work. In 1930, however, he received the inspiration that the universality of Opus Dei must be reflected not only by embracing people in every sort of profession, but also by including women in its apostolic work, albeit done separately, in recognition of their different pastoral needs.
Next month, March, has for some time been declared Women’s Month. I shall jump the gun ahead of others who would be writing about topics related to women, and feminism as it is foisted upon women these days, and write about what being a woman means to me, and relatedly, how womanhood is uplifted by the words of St. Josemaria and the late beloved Pope John Paul II.
What I found interesting is the way woman is understood by both of them, and how they say that woman is not a "lesser man" as feminists imply when they want to imitate men and "fulfill" themselves only if they become "copies" of the other sex, or as they prefer to say, gender. I found this quote in an article: "Feminists have charged that Judaism and Christianity are sexist religions with a male God and traditions of male leadership that legitimate the superiority of men in family and society." I guess this is the whole object of "sexism" which some say should be abolished, thereby allowing women to be "themselves."
Let me share what I agree is the role of woman. It is "defined by two factors: her identity and her self determination. A woman, just like a man, has to be able to choose her own future, to pursue her own life project. To do this she must have the same opportunities as a man. And she will do this by reason of her own identity, being who she is without falling into the temptation of mimicry, without imitating the customs and manners of men, thinking that in this way she will find herself." (Patricia Mayorga, in El Mercurio, Santiago, 1996)
In a sense, Josemaria Escriva’s ideas arrived many decades ahead of time. It was this foresight that enabled Centers of Opus Dei directed by women to be opened, because at the time hardly anyone believed that a woman could survive independently, without the help of a male partner, at least in what referred to the economic sphere and authority. It was foresight to encourage them from the beginning to develop activities with a wide range of apostolic activities in all fields and professions. He said to them, "You have all the conditions to be independent: in your own sphere of influence, since I have always been of the opinion that you should be autonomous, in your economic and corporate activities." Surely, these were revolutionary ideas, at that time, and even today.
Beloved Holy Father John Paul II also defended the rights of woman, praised their unique quality as helper and partner of man, and not as one inferior to him. He preached a new feminism that redefines the vocation and mission of woman, calling it the "genius of woman." He shows that she is gifted with a special sense for the concrete person, that she looks at persons with her heart, seeing persons independently of political or ideological systems. Sadly, our world today is so dominated by hedonism and a consumeristic culture that it is in danger of being depersonalized. The Holy Father felt that it needs the "genius of woman" to save and protect it from this threat.
So much rhetoric has been poured on the concern for "freeing" women from the so-called male-dominated socio-political and socio-cultural shackles, when, in fact, what is needed is to harness this "feminine genius" in all sectors of society -- whether they are running schools, active in businesses, working in the fields, working as politicians, journalists and artists, or working exclusively in work at the home. At the heart of progress in the community, society, and the nation, it has to be recognized that women play a key role -- as themselves, and not as poor imitations of the male.
The anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Center 80 years ago is a telling reminder that the Church has always considered woman as an equal of man. Each woman, in her own sphere of life, if she is faithful to her divine and human vocation, can achieve the fullness of her feminine personality, and indeed, "hold up half the sky" as an old saying goes.
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