May

                        Church as Home and Mother                                            Women                                                    Motherhood

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family….She sets about her work, vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Proverbs 31:15-17

Monday: She (Mary), who cared for her divine Son, and propitiated his first miracle at the wedding at Cana, who was present on Calvary and at the Pentecost, shows you the road to take to deepen the meaning and role of women in society and to be fully faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and to your mission in the world.

Tuesday: The first thing that she (the Virgin Mary) did when she received the Good News in her womb was to run out to serve. Let us run out to serve by bringing to others the Good News that we believe in May this be our conversion: the Good News of Christ yesterday, today and always. 

Wednesday:  Many women share pastoral responsibilities with priests, helping to guide people, families, and groups and offering new contributions to theological reflection. But we need to create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church.

Thursday: The feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society: the presence of women must also be guaranteed in the workplace and in the various other settings where important decisions are made, both in the Church and in social structures.

Friday: Demands that the legimate rights of women be respected based on the firm conviction that men and women are equal in dignity, present the Church with profound and challenging questions which cannot be lightly evaded.

Saturday:   I think of the steadfast faith of those mothers tending their sick children who, barely familiar with the articles of the creed, cling to the rosary, or of all the hope poured into a candle lighted in a humble home with a prayer of help from Mary, or in the gaze of tender love directed to Christ crucified.