I was not surprised

I was not surprised to learn that women were/are the backbone of the Catholic practice of devotion to the Saints. The Braude article has given me a different paradigm through which to view the role of women in church. I see the rise in the veneration of Jude in direct correlation to the rise of a new sense of self worth in women. The model of Therese (at least as she was viewed in the time referenced) was a model of submissiveness, humility and silence. It was a model whose time had come and gone, and I for one say good riddance. I am glad that the new version of Therese as envisioned by contemporary scholars represents independence and innovation; perhaps those characteristics will resonate with a new generation of young women. Perhaps this new vision of spiritual innovation and independence will help lead American Catholicism towards the liberalization of its outmoded & gender biased policies.

I am also not suspired to learn that there are varied and differing reasons between the practical and spiritual aspects of devotions. I can see why, for strictly materialistic reasons one parish, diocese of shrine would want to promote the veneration of one saint over, often at the expense of another. When I was living in Germany I did a little travel around Europe. And, although the churches are pretty much empty there is a large tourist industry built around the saints. It was everywhere; come see the hand of so-and-so, the virgin appeared here, or we have the skull of St. someone else in our cathedral. My friends and I talked about it at the time but we failed to understand the spiritual ramifications of such tourism. It just seemed rather gruesome and somewhat opportunistic way to make a quick buck from the tourist trade. After reading this article I understand that the money made from tourism may well be just the tip of the iceberg. I imagine that there are many devout Catholics who donate huge amounts of money to the cult centers of the various saints. On the other side of the coin there are many people whose lives have been changed by their devotion to their particular saint. The deep spiritual transformations, the personal mystical experiences, and the heartfelt loves these people have experienced should not be cavalier dismissed, even if the tradition is alien to us.

Orsi and I seem to have come to a similar conclusion that women turned away from Therese and her “suffering” and “self-abnegation” towards “…a saint whose existence was rooted in their needs and who would not only understand and comfort them, but empower them as well”. But I would add that Jude should be just one next step in the emancipation of Catholics of both genders. This new vision of Therese sounds like just the tonic needed to stir things up.

1. Early Therese…Submissiveness, Humility and Silence


2. Jude…Understanding, Compassion and Empowerment


3. New Therese…Fierce Independence & Spiritual Innovation