|
Promoting
the new feminism of John Paul II
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
On the feast of St. Peter and Paul in 1965, Pope John Paul II wrote a
letter to women. “I would now like to speak directly to every woman,”
the Holy Father said, “to reflect with her on the problems and the
prospects of what it means to be a woman in our time. In particular I
wish to consider the essential issue of the dignity and rights of women
as seen in the light of the word of God.”
The Holy Father began his letter by thanking women for all they
represent: mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, women who work,
consecrated women, every woman “for the simple fact of being a woman!”
Finishing his thought, he said: “Through the insight which is so much a
part of your womanhood, you enrich the world’s understanding and help to
make human relations more honest and authentic.”
John Paul spoke of the “genius” of women. He promoted what has come to
be termed “the new feminism,” feminism that recognizes and
affirms the “true genius of women” and responds to the desperate need
society has for an authentic feminine presence in every aspect of life.
Traditional feminism has divided and categorized women. The pope had a
different vision.
In that context, last spring I received a promo from the Archdiocese of
Denver about a program called ENDOW. The goal of ENDOW is to advance the
dignity of women in the light of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith.
ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) takes seriously
Pope John Paul II’s call for a “new feminism.” It seeks to assist women
in discovering and deepening their Christian identity, and in developing
their leadership skills to serve the Catholic community and the wider
public sphere.
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has identified ENDOW as one of the most
important initiatives in the Archdiocese of Denver and has given it his
wholehearted support. That got my attention. So, through Dr. Anne D.
Roat, director of the Pastoral Office for Adult Catechesis,
representatives of ENDOW were invited to the diocese this past summer to
explain the program in detail.
ENDOW sees itself as an educational effort that provides women with a
forum to explore and understand what it means to be a feminine person
created in God’s image. It promotes John Paul II’s new feminism.
The new feminism of John Paul II urges women to reject the idea that
they need to be like men. Rather, it urges women to embrace and bring to
fruition their own particular gifts of nurturing, sensitivity,
intuitiveness and ability to create community. This gift of self to the
other is at the heart of John Paul’s new feminism. In the judgment of
our late Holy Father, for women, it is the path to ultimate fulfillment
on this earth.
ENDOW educates and inspires women through small study groups. ENDOW
engages the intellect of the woman in the pew. By providing
knowledge and fellowship in an intimate group setting, ENDOW strives to
foster a sense of belonging and gives women an opportunity to deeply
understand and personalize the faith that draws women together and the
fellowship that keeps them together. ENDOW attracts women from all walks
of life and helps women realize that, no matter what they do in life,
they all share a common desire for love and respect. While society
places a high priority on a person’s skill, appearance and usefulness,
ENDOW teaches women that their dignity originates in their personhood.
ENDOW invites women to focus on the unique gifts given to all women.
Principally, this commonality points a woman toward her vocation. All
women seek balance and purpose in their lives. ENDOW is for women from
all walks of life — the mother, the teacher — both single and married.
The Pastoral Office for Adult Catechesis will be hosting an
informational session and training workshop so women can learn more
about ENDOW. Mary Gutierrez from ENDOW will facilitate this information
session and training workshop. Participants will explore what it means
to be a feminine person created in God’s image, today and always. They
will learn about the ENDOW curriculum which is based on sacred Scripture
and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It draws upon well-known
theologians and philosophers, in particular the writings of the late
Holy Father, John Paul II. The session will focus on Pope John Paul’s
letter to women. Participants will receive training on how to facilitate
ENDOW groups in their parishes.
The ENDOW workshop will be held on Dec. 2 at St. Joan of Arc Church in
Kokomo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dr. Roat has sent invitations to more than
150 women in the hope of starting study groups in our parishes. The
sponsors of ENDOW believe that once women know who they are as God
intended, it can support and nurture the rest of the community. This
ultimately will help others grow in knowledge and virtue.
ENDOW’s vision to change culture by affirming the genius of women and
the unique gifts given to women begins one woman at a time. As they gain
knowledge about their dignity as women, they are better able to witness
to the invaluable role of women in the Church and in society. I pray
that many will come to share that understanding and participate in the
mission of ENDOW to bring women to a deeper, more profound understanding
of their God-given dignity and vocation.
“The whole program was enlightening,” one participant wrote. “The
concept of giving ourselves to others being the gift of our femininity
was fascinating to me. I always knew this in my heart, but never had it
spelled out so clearly as when I read John Paul II’s letter to women.”
Another testimonial: “I had not understood how deeply the Church loves
and admires women. The more I studied, the clearer this became. This
message needs to be taught to women in high school, college and as young
adults. Had I known this powerful message earlier, many decisions I
faced would have been much easier.”
Yet another testimonial: “I loved the other women in my study group.
Everyone has a different story, but we were all there to learn and grow
in our faith. I felt very comfortable asking questions and sharing my
opinion.”
One final testimonial: “I got a deeper understanding of women and their
role in the Church. I am anxious to continue this journey in faith.”
In his Apostolic Letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Mulieris
Dignitatem), John Paul II wrote in 1988: “The Church gives thanks
for all the manifestations of the feminine ‘genius’ which have appeared
in the course of history, in the midst of all peoples and nations; she
gives thanks for all the charisms which the Holy Spirit distributes to
women in the history of the People of God, for all the victories which
she owes to their faith, hope and charity; she gives thanks for all the
fruits of feminine holiness.”
ENDOW is an invitation to explore this “feminine holiness.” Be not
afraid! |
