[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we reflect on communion with women, we turn first to Mary of Nazareth, who provides us with a bold yet gentle model of discipleship. In the Joy of the Gospel Pope Francis asserts: “Whenever we look to Mary, we come to believe once again in the revolutionary nature of love and tenderness. In her we see that humility and tenderness are not virtues of the weak but of the strong who need not treat others poorly in order to feel important themselves. Contemplating Mary, we realize that she who praised God for “bringing down the mighty from their thrones” and “sending the rich away empty” (Lk 1:52-53) is also the one who carefully keeps “all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Mary is able to recognize traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small. (EG 288)
Prayer for Women Everywhere – B. D’Arcy
With Miriam, who with Moses and Aaron led the people of Israel out of Egypt;
With Deborah, who judged the people of Israel in truth and righteousness;
With Ruth, who was an example of faithfulness;
With Mary Magdalen, who first brought the good news of the resurrection;
With Phoebe, deacon and leader of the early Church;
With Priscilla, who labored with Aquila in service of Christ;
With Dorcas, who spent herself doing good and helping the poor;
With Mary the mother of Jesus, who said ‘yes’ with no holding back.
With these our sisters,
We pray for women everywhere who see their families divided, their children sad;
We pray for women who against the odds create a good place for their families to live in;
We pray for women who, when tempted to give up, find new strength from their sisters and go on. Amen. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_btn title=”See more” color=”green” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fworldssps.org%2Fcommunion-with-others%2F||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
