The brand of spirituality of women especially mothers, who hold the greatest influence in the lives of their children and even their spouses, call to mind the Blessed Mother Mary’s title as “Mediatrix of all graces” which holds a wealth of meaning by the very fact of her being a Mother to the Redeemer. She is regarded as the universal mediator, for she finds herself placed between God and men, and more particularly between her Son and men. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Men are what their mothers made them”. In the same light, graces derived from spirituality are transmitted by mothers to their offspring which disclose the role of women’s spirituality in the family and in society.
The extraordinary effect of women’s spirituality should not be discounted for it is observed to produce various benefi cial outcomes related to marriage, such as marital satisfaction and commitment leading to marital stability which leads to a healthy environment for growth and learning of children. Mothers are known to be more religious and spiritual thereby transmitting their religious beliefs, affiliations, activities and practices to their children and this is more likely to happen when mother-child relationships are warm and parental communication about religion is clear. The spirituality exhibited by mothers who enjoy the greatest amount of time with their children is a valuable link to a greater involvement, warmth, and positivity in parent-child relationship.
This in turn is translated into affirmative and active participation of young adults in services and activities influencing adolescents’ religious commitments by directing them to other social influencers such as peers, school, and faith community that have increasing significance during adolescence such as in the development of moral values, leadership and coping skills, positive self-image, cognitive and emotional maturity and other necessary growth values thereby becoming excellent role models in the community.
Women have a stake in everything that affects individual and communal life. |
A woman like Mary can truly be the model of modern women and mothers, by her spirituality, gentleness and nurturing love of Jesus and her other virtues which Pope Paul the VI highlighted -- her decision making, her free choice of virginity for total self consecration to God, her proclamation of God’s vindicating the humble and the oppressed, her courageous stand in flight, exile, and the persecution of her son, and her support to the apostolic community (cf. MC 37).
Let us bear in mind that children are the magnificent living messages we give to a world we will not see.
This makes us see the real value of the nurturing love and positive infl uence resulting from the spirituality inherited by children while under the protective care of their parents. Indeed, women from all over the world have the crucial responsibility of molding the future stewards of this world thus underscoring the indispensable contribution of women towards nation-building.
It is now accepted that women have a stake in everything that affects individual and communal life. This is a great leap forward, a revolution in thinking, a new perception of women’s role in the shaping of the world. It is only fitting and proper that we celebrate the Women’s Month this March in recognition of women’s global economic, cultural, social and political achievements geared towards shaping progress.
Let us take pride in the achievements of women --- past, present and future.
Happy Women’s Month!
