The document discusses the dignity and vocation of women from a Catholic perspective. It summarizes how women are created in God's image and likeness, and how Mary exemplifies the ideal roles of womanhood as the Theotokos (Mother of God) and the new Eve. It explores how Jesus promoted the dignity of women and their important roles in the gospels and early Church as witnesses to the resurrection. Ultimately, it argues that women's vocations are found in spousal, maternal, and interpersonal relationships centered around giving and receiving love.

1. The Dignity and
Vocation of Women
Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC

2. Introduction
• Quotes
– Gaudium et Spes (2)
– Pope Paul IV

3. Theotokos
• Union with God
– Galatians 4:4
– Genesis 3:15
– Luke 1:33-37
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theotokos_Iverskaya.jpg

4. Theotokos
• Fullness of time
– Dignity of woman
• Women represents
humanity
– Union of mother and Son
– Virgin Mother
– Overshadowing of the
Holy Spirit
– God ASKS permission
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theotokos_Iverskaya.jpg

5. To Serve is to Reign
• The Annunciation
• Action of Grace
• Handmaid
– Creature
– Servant
– Kingdom of God
– Foundation of what it
means to be a woman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ru_boff/3245887692/sizes/m/in/photostream/

6. Image and Likeness of God
• Book of Genesis (1:27)
– Man highest point of
creation
– BOTH in God’s image
– BOTH unlike all other
creatures
– Together they form a
community
http://www.brogilbert.org/woman/woman_creation.JPG

7. Image and Likeness of God
• Person made in communion
– Rational and free
– In relationship
– Trinity
– Community based on love
http://vocatum.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

8. Image and Likeness of God
• Anthropomorphism of the bible
– God speaks to us in human language
– Love of God
Isaiah 49:14-15 ---
Isaiah 69:13 --- Psalm 131
– God is feminine and masculine
• Hosea 11:1-4
• Jer 3:4-9
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rykneethling/5811115037/

9. Eve and Mary
• Mystery of sin and evil
– Negation of God as
Creator in relationship
to man
– Independent from God
– Sin did not destroy
likeness to God
http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/12/Mary-as-the-New-Eve-15th-century.jpg

10. Eve and Mary
• Sin
– Disturbances to
relationship between
man and woman
– Gift of self
– “He shall rule over
you.”
http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/12/Mary-as-the-New-Eve-15th-century.jpg

11. Proto-evangelium
• The First Gospel
– Genesis 3:15 – I will
put …
– Women – pro-genitrix
of the redeemer of man
– Women: Mary and Eve
• Old Testament
• New Testament
http://blogs.nd.edu/oblation/files/2012/12/Mary-as-the-New-Eve-15th-century.jpg

12. Jesus Christ and Women
• Jesus TALKED to women
• Jesus promotes dignity and vocation
– John 4:27
– Luke 7:39
– Matthew 2:13
– Matthew 19:3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Franceschini,_Giacomo_-_Ges%C3%B9_e_la_Samaritana_al_pozzo.jpg

13. Women in the Gospel
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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Luke 13:11 – Women bent over
Mark 1:30 – Simon’s mother-in-law
Mark 5:25-34 – Flow of blood
Mark 5:41 – Daughter of Jairus
Luke 7:13 – Widow of Naim
Matthew 15:28 – Canaanite woman
Luke 8:1-3 – Provide for Jesus
John 4:7-27 – Samaritan woman
Luke 7:37-47 – Public sinner
John 8:3-11 – Adulterer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene

14. Women in the Parables
• Illustrate the truth of the Kingdom of God
– Lost coin – Lk 15: 8-10
– The leven – Mt. 13:33
– The Wise and foolish
Virgins – Mt. 25:1-13
– Widows mite –
Lk 21:1-4
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Lost_Drachma_(La_drachme_perdue)__James_Tissot_-_overall.jpg

15. Woman caught in Adultery
• Affect of the first sin
– Habitual discrimination against women
– TWO people in adultery
– Abortion
– The dignity and
vocation of women
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_woman_taken_in_adultery

16. Guardian of the Gospel
• Christ’s action
• Woman at the well
– “If you only knew the gift
of God” -- John 4:7-27
• Martha and Mary
• Woman who bathed his
feet
• Women at the foot of the
cross
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_in_the_House_of_Martha_and_Mary_(Vermeer)

17. First Witness of the
Resurrection
•
•
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Sensitivity
Receptivity
Generosity
Maternity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tizian_050.jpg

18. Motherhood - Virginity
• Found in Mary
– Annunciation
• Receptivity
– Generosity
– Motherhood
• Involves a special communion
with the mystery of life
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Virgin_Mary_Golgotha_Hajdudorog.jpg

19. Motherhood - Virginity
• Mary – new covenant
• Jesus redefines
motherhood
• Paschal Mystery
• Sensitivity
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingfortheword/6398428089/sizes/m/in/photostream/

20. Motherhood - Virginity
• Celibacy for the
kingdom
• Women – called to be
loved and to love
– Seen in:
• Concern for others
• Open to others needs
• Profoundly personal
http://www.flickr.com/photos/waitingfortheword/6365287195/sizes/m/in/photostream/

21. Motherhood - Virginity
• Bride of Christ
– Christ the groom
– Church is the bride
– “Your maker is your
husband “ (Is 54:5)
– Pouring out of Christ to
us out of love
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_the_Virgin

22. Feminine Genius
• Dignity of woman and the order of love
• Vocation of women
– Spousal relationship
– Interpersonal relationship
– Bride and bridegroom
• Woman and all of humanity
WE WERE CREATED TO GIVE AND
RECEIVE LOVE