All Generations Will Call Me Blessed

 

 

 

…The Church gives thanks for each and every woman: for mothers, for sisters, for wives; for women consecrated to God in virginity; for women dedicated to the many human beings who await the gratuitous love of another person; for women who watch over the human persons in the family, which is the fundamental sign of the human community; for women who work professionally, and who at times are burdened by a great social responsibility; for "perfect" women and for "weak" women - for all women as they have come forth from the heart of God in all the beauty and richness of their femininity; as they have been embraced by his eternal love; as, together with men, they are pilgrims on this earth, which is the temporal "homeland" of all people and is transformed sometimes into a "valley of tears"; as they assume, together with men, a common responsibility for the destiny of humanity according to daily necessities and according to that definitive destiny which the human family has in God himself, in the bosom of the ineffable Trinity.

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.

The Church asks at the same time that these invaluable "manifestations of the Spirit" (cf. 1 Cor 12:4ff.), which with great generosity are poured forth upon the "daughters" of the eternal Jerusalem, may be attentively recognized and appreciated so that they may return for the common good of the Church and of humanity, especially in our times. Meditating on the biblical mystery of the "woman", the Church prays that in this mystery all women may discover themselves and their "supreme vocation"….

Mulieris Dignitatem, 31

Pope John Paul II

August 15, 1988

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Today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we also mark the 25^th anniversary of Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter, Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women).

 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_15081988_mulieris-dignitatem_en.html

This feast reminds us of our reason to hope, both here on earth as well as for a future in heaven.  Mary attained a union with God which was beyond human imagination or expectation.  She gathers each of us in her motherly embrace so that we may experience the love flowing from the heart of Jesus.  Love is our God-given vocation.  Our dignity comes from the Lord and Giver of Life.  We can do no less than to generously share with others that which we have received in abundance.

 

Let us join our Blessed Mother Mary in proclaiming:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is His Name….”

 

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