I have never felt freer than I do as a Catholic woman. And the truth is – yes. I love my Catholic faith.
I grew up in a Catholic bubble. I went to Catholic school, had Catholic parents, and hung out with other Catholic kids. No one ever challenged the teachings of the faith, and I didn’t even realize that the whole world wasn’t Catholic.
Until I went to summer camp.
Because the camp was Christian and not Catholic, my parents took me off campus for mass every Sunday. For the first two summers, it wasn’t a big deal; religion wasn’t on the radar of third and fourth graders. But my fifth-grade summer, everything changed. I walked back in from mass into a wall of questions.
“We had chapel. Where were you?”
Words fell from my mouth, and I mumbled something about the Eucharist, obligations, and the nature of mortal sin.
“Oh,” one of the girls said. “You’re in that church that worships Mary.”
My guardian angel sounded the dinner bell.
As time has passed and I’ve gotten older, I’ve encountered all manner of reactions to my faith:
If you were an intellectual, you’d question what they tell you.
If you were a feminist, you’d fight against how they oppress you.
If you were in touch with your humanity, you’d see they don’t respect it.
Anyone who knows me knows those statements are ridiculous: even my non-Catholic friends take the time to learn the truth. But in wider circles, I’m a mythical unicorn, a Catholic woman who loves her faith.
I Am a Catholic Woman – Here’s Why I love My Faith
Catholicism Embraces the Truth
The county schools in my area teach Character Education, instilling positive behaviors and good citizenship from a secular, humanist perspective. It’s a decent idea – in theory. In practice, it’s highly problematic.
Character education gives kids them a surface philosophy devoid of any meaning. But they aren’t dumb – they want an explanation, a reason beyond, “because I said so.” When secular society divorces free will from the creator, motivation for our actions rings sterile and inert. Why be a good person just for the sake of it? Why do anything for the common good? Secular humanism turns virtue into peer pressure, not a refinement of the human will.
Without an understanding of natural law or an appreciation for objective truth, virtue becomes peer pressure, not a refinement of our will.
Catholicism is the answer to this gross misunderstanding. Objective truth exists, and it stems from natural law. For thousands of years, learned men and women have studied and written and espoused the truth. In this way, the Church applies both faith and reason to the unpacking of the quandaries so prevalent in our time. We love our neighbor, work for justice, and defend the marginalized because we are made in the image and likeness of God. There is a reason and a purpose behind what we do, and the Church reveals that wisdom in her teachings.
Catholicism Elevates Women
And how, quite honestly, could it not? Without woman, there is no humanity. Mary’s yes which brought forth the Savior; woman’s nature nurtures the soul.
Society reduces me to an object, but in the Church I’m unrepeatable and unique. I have true freedom of choice, to live without a mechanism that negates what makes me feminine. The Church has never once denied the truth of my existence, of my integrity as a creation made perfect in the eyes of God.
I am the head of my own domestic Church, an honor no man can ever obtain.
Catholicism Honors the Body
Our bodies are physical, and so is the Church. That’s why we have the sacraments: outward signs, instituted by Christ, designed and offered to give the faithful grace. Because we are made in the image and likeness of God with ears, eyes, hands, and feet, every sacrament has a form and matter. The structure of each rite has a physical component: the faithful don’t just listen; we taste and we see.
Baptism cleanses with water: Confirmation seals with oil. The Eucharist feeds us with true bread and wine. We have substance far greater than feelings.
Society offers me fleeting pleasures. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing I’m not willing to defend.
I’m an honored, respected member of the Body of Christ, and I’m totally in love with my faith.
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I remember being surprised that not everyone was Catholic. It can definitely be challenging but I wouldn’t trade my faith for the world.
It’s a common feeling when you grow up Catholic, I think 🙂
So much yes!
There is an odd notion out there that if you are weird enough to be Catholic you should at least be embarrassed or dismissive of the faith. But even just intellectual integrity tells me that if something is true, it cannot be less true just because it is not the culturally popular position to hold.
Strong and smart Catholic women unite!
Amen, sister!
Amen! So true! I love how our Catholic Faith teaches us about objective truth! Too many times, I have “discussions” with people who just wanted to tell me why they “feel” they are are making the right choice or decisions. Even though I never asked them about their choices, I just remind them that while that’s all fine and dandy about how you feel, feelings are fleeting.
The minute I talk about objective truth, oh the anger! But learning from this, I am doing my best to not only arm myself with apologetics (and the art of persuasion) but to arm my daughter the defense she will need to defend her faith.
Excellent point about teaching your daughter! I’ve already seen it take root in my own kiddos, which is awesome.
Yes! Yes to all of this!
I love this so very much. Thank you for clarifying some of the misconceptions of the Catholic Faith – especially as it addresses women in its midst!
Here’s to strong, Catholic women who are deeply in love with their Faith!! (Insert a cheers or something… 😉 )
Haha yes!
This is great! I love your point about the character education: “Why be a good person just for the sake of it?” Exactly! It has no meaning when you’re not trying to be good for the sake of God. I have thought about this often but have never seen it really talked about. Thanks for putting it into words!
You’re welcome – thanks for reading!
I love how you bring up natural law! This is such a great topic and I really enjoy reading everyone’s personal view point. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!
These are all so great! I love the physicality of the Church. It’s so important to remember we’re both spiritual and bodily beings. I’m so happy that’s on your list!
Oh, thanks!
Love, love, love this–the sentiments are beautiful as is the writing. I remember the principal of the grade school my big kids (and I attended) talking about attending a meeting with all the other school principals and discussing character education. They were all talking about what curriculum they were using and she said something like, “We have the Gospels,” and I believe most of the rest of them were jealous that they couldn’t ground their lessons in the teachings of Christ. 🙂
Your post is great. I was Catholic long before I was really Catholic. And my family disproves greatly. I no longer try to explain it all to them, I’m just the ME God wants me to be. I often hear things like, “You’re Catholic? But you know Scripture.” – um yes, we read our Bibles and study just like all Christian’s. LOL
My cousin married a man who left the Catholic Church. Most people leave because they have a problem with a Priest or person, but it’s the Faith we should hold onto, not the people.
Anyway – I love that you call society a wolf in sheeps clothing! Isn’t that the truth!
Blessings,
Em