Anne was startled when she walked into her room and discovered that her brother’s girlfriend had dropped by for an unexpected visit.  Even more surprising was the fact that she was propped on her bed leafing through the small blue booklet.  “What is this?” she inquired.  “It’s something I’m studying in senior religion class.”  “It’s fascinating, but what does it all mean?”  That question was the springboard into a discussion of Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Mulieris Dignitatem), that neither had anticipated but both relished. 

From day one of the study it became apparent that this “mediation” of the Holy Father would provide rich food for thought.  The first discussion the class never got passed the first paragraph where the focus turned to the statement, “That is why, at this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women imbued with the spirit of the gospel can do so much to aid humanity in not falling” (MD 1).  The conversation turned to the many fields in which the influence of holy women could change the world as we know it.  Imaginations were fired by the thought that Christian witness extended into every sector of society.  Caroline, a gifted artist, admitted that she had nearly abandoned her dream of fashion design, not seeing how she could serve God in her profession.  The prospect of designing a line that could promote true feminine beauty with modesty and dignity rekindled her dream and gave it new direction.

The first assignment in which students applied the document to daily situations was an analysis of women in the media.  Considering women in all of the elements of their “feminine genius,” the seniors compared the physical, intellectual, spiritual, moral, and social facets of admired media figures to their personal ideals.  Having new angles on femininity from their reading of the document, they often commented that it was rare to find a model of a woman who possessed both physical beauty and moral integrity or who had intellectual talent and spiritual depth.  It was easy to conclude that few women presented to the current generation as icons came close to the fullness of Mary, the Mother of God, or of the many female saints whose virtues were extolled by the document.

A further project involved the compilation of a collage contrasting secular and sacred views of women.  Asked to gather pictures and relevant quotes, the students swiftly discovered that the typical fashion magazine offered little to promote the sacred view of women.  Searching in vain for supporting materials that reflected such concepts as the equal dignity of men and women, the beauty of self-giving love, and the complementarity of the sexes, they discovered that the secular world was much more interested in power and prowess.  Persevering effort led them to magazines marketed for families.  Then further contrasts became evident.  The “secular” halves of their posters tended to focus, both in word and image, on self.  The items they had assembled for the “sacred” halves of their posters had a distinctly other-centered twist.  Quite unintentionally, they had visually depicted the stark contrast between selfishness and selflessness, a striking testimony for the Pope’s assertion that self-realization can only be achieved “through a sincere gift of self” (MD 7).

To explore the ways in which women fulfill their vocations as mothers, the students interviewed their own mothers, as well as religious Sisters, about their gifts of self as physical and spiritual mothers.  When asked by her daughter how having children changed her life, one mother said, “I was eternally grateful to God because it was such a joyful experience.  It helped me to refocus my life…the gift I wanted to give the most was love.”  One student recorded the response of a Sister concerning the meaning of self-gift, “Self-gift means being open to give yourself in whatever way God asks and at whatever time.  It is a continual process of living in faith and prayer.”  After having interviewed both her mother and a Sister, Laura reflected in class, “I was amazed by how similar their answers were, how much they shared the same joys and the same concerns.” 

The students also composed two letters, one to their own mothers to thank them for their gifts of self and one to their future daughters.  Monica wrote, “I don’t think it is really possible to thank the woman that is my role model, example, and constant strength enough.  I can only hope to be just like you when I find my vocation, full of compassion, love, understanding, and wisdom…You have taught me the true dignity that is within every woman.”  Angela, writing to her future daughter, wrote, “God gave you to us because your father and I were open to His will.  Just remember that when God is calling you…LISTEN.” 

After adding favorite quotes from the document itself and an array of photographs of women from multiple generations of their families, the students completed their projects with original prayers composed to ask guidance in discerning how God would call them to give of themselves in the present and future.  The prayers were, without exception, thoughtful, marked by the grace of reflection on the gift of being a woman, of being called to give and nurture life and love in diverse and dignified ways.  Sheila wrote her prayer in the form of a letter to God.  Her letter begins, “Dear God…As I approach graduation from high school, I think about the next steps I will make in my life and all the big decisions I will be making.  The more I think about them, the more I realize how much I need your guidance and grace…help me to hear your voice and be open to your call.” 

For many students, the study of the Holy Father’s document was enlightening and thought-provoking.  Many were surprised by the depth of the Church’s appreciation for the significant roles women have assumed throughout history.  Many were moved by the encounters of Jesus with women in the gospels that illustrated his profound respect for them and by the eloquent truths Pope John Paul found revealed in those accounts. They were relieved to discover that being pro-woman is also pro-man when one understands the true basis of human dignity.  They were happy to realize that God has a unique and special plan for each of them, that their vocations are first and foremost calls to love, and that this love takes on as many expressions as there are human souls.         

Anne’s conversation with her surprise visitor was, she realized, only the beginning of an ongoing dialogue with peers about a holy and wholesome view of woman.  The seniors are aware that soon college will hold new questions and new challenges.  They have considered the gift of their femininity in a way that many have not.  In her letter to God, Sheila wrote, “I know that going to college will not be an easy transition, but with your loving support, I know that I will be able to stay close to you and my values and beliefs.”  For these young women now is the moment when their “share in his messianic mission” (MD 31) takes on a fresh dimension, when the gift of self must be given anew.