~ This year Anima have been working with the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia based here in Melbourne on a series of talks on what it means to be a woman in Christ with intelligent fidelity. The series, called "Lamps Alight", is held monthly at the parish of Keilor Downs in the west of Melbourne. … Continue reading Dignity of Women and the Order of Love – Lamps Alight
In a rich conversation about the importance of Pope St John Paul II’s leadership in promoting women and what he called “the Culture of Life,” a Christian friend told me how much the Pope’s moral clarity, his devotion to Jesus Christ and his life of prayer and action meant to her. As much as she … Continue reading The Rosary and the Praying Body
In Saint Pope John Paul II's Letter to Artists he writes: “Beauty, like truth, brings joy to the human heart in a world so full of tears. The Polish poet Cyprian Norwid wrote that “beauty is to enthuse us for work, and work is to raise us up” (n.3). The beauty that results from the … Continue reading God’s Gift of Simple Beauty – A Mother’s Reflection
When Pietro Molla was first approached for his wife’s cause for canonization, he was very surprised. He replied, “Look, I know I married a fantastic woman. But she was so normal!” Their son, Pierluigi, later reflected that his father came from a generation where saints got their status from miracles and supernatural feats. Pietro’s wife, … Continue reading The Saints In Our Lives – St Gianna, the Saint of the “Ordinary Time”
As a Catholic woman, I have always been exasperated by the cultural assumption that I must be, well, oppressed in some way. ‘The Church hates women- that’s why we hate the Church’ cries the zeitgeist… but I’m a part of the Church. Does that mean you hate me? A woman? ‘The Church sees women as intellectually … Continue reading Book Review – Hard Sayings, A Catholic Approach to Answering Bible Difficulties by Trent Horn
During the season of Lent we are asked to connect with Christ on a deeper level. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a really wonderful way to do this at this time. It is a form of prayer that we feel is needed more than ever. Below is a beautiful testimony from Bernadette Price about this devotion … Continue reading Meeting Christ – The transformative nature of Eucharistic Adoration
On December 2nd 2017, the Anima Women’s Team organized its first live Advent Retreat at St Philip’s parish North Blackburn. The women shared a rich and prayerful time, especially thanks to Father Paschal Corby OFM (Conv)’s reflections, and to the Parish of St Philip’s. Special thanks go to Fr Nicholas Dillon, the Parish Priest, who … Continue reading Reflections on Myrrh and Advent
Let’s now turn to a reflection on Mary Glowrey and the “feminine genius.” Of all the characteristics of Saint John Paul II’s notion of the “feminine genius,” perhaps the most primary one is receptivity. It is on the foundation of receptivity that other characteristics, such as sensitivity, generosity, service and maternity, can grow. Receptivity is … Continue reading Mary Glowrey – Part 3, Her Feminine Genius
Today’s modern woman is a victim of what we might call the superwomen syndrome. The feminist mantra of gender equality and freedom from patriarchal oppression has failed to secure her happiness. Rather, many women face the daily grind of pushing themselves to excel at juggling a professional career, family life as well as the societal … Continue reading Mary’s Example of Femininity
Today many young women not only refuse to describe themselves as “feminists” they have no idea that “International Women’s Day” on March 8th, began on the day that women in Germany and Austria first attained the right to vote in 1911. Christian women both in Germany and around the world were key players in promoting … Continue reading Breathing New Life into Women’s Dignity.
