This year, I started listening to Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Catechism in a Year podcast to continue my knowledge and growth in faith. I have always used the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) as a resource, so it has been great diving in and studying it. Fr. Mike shares the information in a very personable way.
Day 109 of the podcast entitled “Mystery of Union With God” talks about CCC 772–780 . The Church’s hierarchy is set up for God’s love and our response to God’s love. Fr. Mike talks about how Mary goes before us in responding fully to God’s love. He further states that the “Marian dimension of the Church preceded the Petrine…Mary precedes Peter.” This really hit me. Mary, the model disciple, precedes Peter in receiving and giving God’s love. This reveals a powerful truth about the role of women in the Church.
The Church as Sacrament (CCC 772–780)
Read over and contemplate CCC 772-780. CCC 772 discusses how the Church is the Bride, while CCC 773 talks about the Marian dimension preceding the Petrine. CCC 774–780 ties together how the Church itself is a Sacrament. Its nature and mission exist to respond to God’s love. The statement in CCC 773, “Mary goes before us all in the holiness that is the Church’s mystery as ‘the bride without spot or wrinkle.’” This is why the Marian dimension precedes the Petrine. Petrine is the hierarchical and Marian is the receptive, contemplative and missionary dimensions of the Church.
This statement in the Catechism of the Catholic Church has me wondering why this is not talked about more. Why are women only allowed participation in the Catholic Mass when there aren’t enough men to fill the roles? Some priests discourage women from entering the altar area. I say this from experience. Look at any Catholic church and review the ratio of women to men who work and support their local Church. Let’s go back to Mary.
Mary as the First Disciple and Model of the Church
Mary is the best example of receiving and returning God’s love. Her “yes” in Luke 1:38, “Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.” (usccb.org) is the ultimate act of faith and leadership. We all know Mary was at the foot of the cross. John 19:25–27 reads, “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.” (usccb.org). It was women supporting Jesus at this dire time. Mary was with the Apostles at Pentecost as the spiritual mother of the Church (a leader). Acts 1:14 reads, “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.’ (usccb.org)
Fr. Mike Schmitz stated in that episode of The Catechism in a Year podcast, “women show us how to receive love from God and return it, which is the Church’s core mission.” Recently during a message of gratitude from Pope Francis in the Vatican during a private audience, he was quoted saying (translated). “When women are in charge, things work.” (Vatican News on Facebook) This brings more curiosity as to why women are not encouraged to take leadership roles in the Catholic Church.
Women as Leaders in the Catholic Church
Leadership isn’t just hierarchical. It’s deeply spiritual, pastoral, evangelistic, and nurturing. In fact, Servant Leadership is just that. Giving and serving without regard to roles or titles. There are many historical examples of female saints and Doctors of the Church who were servant leaders: St. Catherine of Siena, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Mother Teresa.
Progress is being made and recognized. Take a look at Mulieris Dignitatem by Pope John Paul II. It affirms the dignity and vocation of women. In 2024 for International Women’s Day, Pope Francis both recognized and honored women when he said, “I think of all those unknown or forgotten women who, each in her own way, sustained and transformed families and communities by the power of their witness,” he said. “The Church needs to keep this in mind, because the Church is herself a woman: a daughter, a bride, and a mother.”
The Church Needs the Marian Model Now More Than Ever
Remember that the Marian dimension of the church embodies faith, love, service, contemplation, and maternal care. These are the strengths of women. In a world striving for power and control, the Marian model offers the counter-cultural witness of humility, receptivity, and nurturing leadership. It offers Servant leadership. In this world of division and instability, women can lead the Church in healing, evangelization, and faith formation. They can especially lead in homes, parishes, education, and mission.
During a time when people, young and old, are leaving the Catholic Church, women can provide what they long for, love and acceptance. Women can provide nurturing and understanding as well as education and true leadership. Many women are the true head of their families when it comes to faith and faith formation.
Women are Spiritual Leaders
It is beyond time to recognize women as spiritual leaders. The Catholic Church needs to continue opening paths for women to lead in fidelity to the Marian dimension. We are here to serve. I call on you to explore your own Marian vocation and leadership.
I leave you with the following scriptures for inspiration to accept women leaders and for women to become the leaders our Church needs them to be:
John 2:1–11 – Mary’s intercession at Cana.
John 19:25–27 – Mary at the cross, entrusted to the beloved disciple.
Acts 1:14 – Mary praying with the apostles at Pentecost.
Proverbs 31:25–26 – Strength and dignity of a woman.
Galatians 3:28 – Unity in Christ, no male or female in dignity.
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