By Ann Yanetti
NORWALK—What does women’s spirituality look like as we navigate a culture of materialism, consumerism, and individualism? That was the question Sister Sally Norcross, CND, sought to answer at an event that drew over 80 women at St. Matthew Parish, hosted by the Catholic Daughters.
“There are many different kinds of spirituality,” said Sister Sally. “Some encourage people to search for the sacred, others find God in nature, and others in mindful living in the present moment. Gerard Manley Hopkins, an English poet and Jesuit priest, spoke about an incarnational spirituality built upon the coming of God in the flesh. Franciscan spirituality focuses on poverty and on the humble humanity of Christ, whereas Ignatian spirituality is marked by the desire and ability to find God in all things.”
Sister Sally noted that spirituality is much more than saying a Rosary, praying novenas, taking pilgrimages, or attending Adoration.
“All those are good, and they help form our spirituality, but spirituality is much more than that,” she said, adding that spirituality has nothing to do with one’s title, position in life, or whether you are a religious or lay person.
As a member of the Congregation of Notre Dame and her great love for Our Lady, Sister Sally focused her talk on Marian Spirituality and how it has shaped her own spiritual journey.
“Marian spirituality seeks to imitate Mary’s virtues in such a way that we do not only seek to pray to Mary, but we seek to be like Mary,” said Sister Sally, highlighting the distinction between “praying to” and “being like.” When we pray to someone, we ask for intercession. When we pray like someone, we delve deeper into the life that person lived while on earth, and we attempt to model our own life on theirs.
Sister Sally explained how the Mysteries of the Annunciation and the Visitation can offer insights to inform our spirituality.
“In the Mystery of the Annunciation, Mary was free to say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Mary engaged in dialogue with the angel and when satisfied with what she was hearing, she makes her own decision,” she said. Once she gives her consent to a mission that involves her whole life, she made a commitment and waits in trust for God to work things out.”
What does the Mystery of the Annunciation teach us about praying like Mary?
“Simply put, it means I live my life in such a way that Jesus can be incarnated by the way we live and the example we set for others,” Sister Sally said. “I do not even need to use words. My actions speak for themselves.”
In the Mystery of the Visitation, we get another insight into Marian Spirituality. In her visit to her cousin, Elizabeth, it is not about Mary’s need to see Elizabeth.
“Sure, she wants to see her,” said Sister Sally, “but Mary decided to go because her cousin was in need. Mary perceived a need, put her own need aside, and decided to be with the other.”
When Mary showed up at Elizabeth’s door, “Elizabeth affirmed Mary’s faith by saying, ‘How has it happened to me that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?’” Sister Sally notes this is a great “show of solidarity between these two women. If Mary had any doubts, her feelings were liberated in the greeting from Elizabeth.”
Mary’s visit teaches us that Jesus touches others through us.
“When we take the time to reach out to others, to really put our own needs and desires aside, we become more and more like Mary,” Sister Sally said.
The women at the retreat were encouraged to personally reflect on the Mystery, asking themselves how do they recognize God’s actions in others? Can they recall anyone in their lives who empowered them to bring forth something new?
“I see Visitation as an important part of women’s spirituality in this 21st century,” Sister Sally said. “It is not about a title, prestige, money, or position, but spirituality is the essence of our being. Yes, all life long, we will need to nourish it by prayer, Christian practices, retreats, spiritual direction, yoga, and other devotions that are meaningful to the person. However, in the end, it comes down to who am I? What is the essence of my being?”
Recognizing that putting other peoples’ needs before our own is not easy living in a fast-paced society, Sister Sally challenged listeners to make Marian spirituality come alive by supporting one another and tuning into each other’s needs as well as their own need for God.
“Just remember, that it was Mary’s quality of her being that defined her,” she said. “Mary was the Valiant young woman who is spoken about in the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31.”
There are many different ways to be a virtuous woman, Sister Sally noted.
“Each of you is one of them: joyful, strong, patient, loving, sharing.” Sister Sally emphasized the importance of sharing perspectives and how this can lead to new insights and understanding, quoting John Shea, a contemporary theologian: “The spiritual life is, at root, a matter of seeing. It is all of life seen from a different perspective…the spiritual life is waking, sleeping, dreaming, eating, drinking, working, loving, relaxing, recreating, walking, sitting, standing, breathing … Spirit suffuses everything. Spirituality comes from within.”
Noting how Jesus valued women and listened to their perspective, Sister Sally quoted a recent article by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB: “The Church taught us that God made male and female equal, and that Jesus came for all. I believe in the Jesus they showed me: the Jesus who listened to women, and taught theology to them, the Jesus who sent women to teach theology and raised women from the dead.”
Sister Sally said that society has come a long way since her religious formation days in viewing the role of women in society, in politics and in the Church.
“Those in top male positions need to be open to the female voice,” she said. “I am convinced that more good can be accomplished with the two voices coming together. Religious women remain the
heartbeat of parish life, managing schools at all levels, and now religious and lay women are assuming the position of Diocesan chancellors, as well as other influential positions across the country and in the Vatican.”
In the days and years ahead, Sister Sally said it is her hope that women will continue to walk in the footsteps of Mary, “walking hand in hand with anyone who would like to join us. Together, may we continue to use our God-given talents of service to help the poor, the marginalized, the voiceless. Together, may we continue to bear Christ to a world that is hungry for peace and truth, justice, and love.”
Sister Sally’s talk left attendees grateful and in awe.
“Her talk was phenomenal and engaging. It was educating and entertaining. One of the best talks I’ve heard in years,” said Pat Poremba.
Sister Jaculyn Hanrahan, CND, opened the Retreat with a Prayer Service featuring music, scripture readings, and psalms. Together, attendees prayed a modern version of the Magnificat.
“The Prayer Service was so wonderful, I realize that it is something we should always begin with,” noted Nancy Piro, Court St. Matthew Catholic Daughters Regent.
