In Focus - Evolution of Women's Role ( April 2026 )

In Focus

Title: Feminine Genius through Church History

Intro

Nycil Romis traces the role of women through the history of the Catholic Church.

Article

Women have played a pivotal role in the history of the Catholic Church, their active presence has been diverse in nature, from silent roles of motherhood to martyrdom, even though ‘they were frequently at a disadvantage from the start, excluded..., underestimated, ignored and not given credit for their intellectual contributions,’ to quote St John Paul II. To understand that the Church equally belongs to both men and women in this millennium, a reflective retrospection is essential.

The early period of the Church demonstrated openness, respect, and acceptance of women, as they followed Jesus in transcending the cultural norms of the time.  The Acts of the Apostles provide glimpses of women like Priscilla, who worked alongside her husband Aquila, and the businesswoman Tabitha, who supported the Church through funds and charity, among others. St Paul mentions several other women in his letters who actively contributed to the Church and its growth. For example, Paul praises Phoebe in Cenchrea, who was a deaconess there. Women deaconesses were prevalent and held in high regard in the early period of the Church until the 12th century. Apart from deaconesses, several notable women leaders used spiritual gifts and their intellect for the common good. For example, St Genevieve (422-500), the patron saint of Paris, had saved the city many times through her prayers and negotiations. 

The early medieval period of the Church marks active contributions of women. A remarkable woman of the time was St Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179). One of the four female Doctors of the Church, she was known for her mysticism, music and supernatural gifts. During the 12th century, the notion of women as the weaker sex influenced the Church, leading to restrictions on women. But this period is also marked by monasticism, characterised by the establishment of several monasteries and convents, unlocking another era of women's contributions to the growth of the Church. 

These communities gave nuns a safe space to explore new mission possibilities and the power to act on their ideas. Numerous examples of women using their capabilities for the love of Christ abound. These women ranged from mystics and visionaries such as St Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church; to courageous military leaders like St Joan of Arc; to compassionate royals like St Elizabeth of Hungary, renowned for her charity and a model for those in authority; and reformers like St Claire of Assisi. Their spiritual lives, ministry, writings and insights are rich sources that inspire Christian life today. 

The modern period of the Church is also illuminated by the lives and writings of women like St Teresa of Avila, St Therese of Lisieux, St Faustina, to name a few. Both St Teresa of Ávila and St Therese of Lisieux were declared Doctors of the Church in recognition of their profound spiritual insights and enduring theological contributions through their writings. The Missionaries of Charity, founded by St Teresa of Calcutta, is an ever-shining example of women-run organised charity, one among numerous initiatives by religious women in the Church. Catholic hospitals and educational institutions run by these women are further examples where they could experiment, refine and establish charitable services for the poor and needy. Mother Angelica’s EWTN network is yet another brilliant example of stepping into the unexplored area of internet-based evangelisation, the first of its kind in the Church. Even today, women constitute the majority of members in the consecrated life in the Church.

Lay women in the Church, on the other hand, were mostly visible in organisations like Marian movements, St Vincent de Paul Society, Opus Dei, etc. The Second Vatican Council played a prominent role in welcoming lay movements, which gave an impetus to numerous such movements that have rejuvenated the life of the Church. For example, the Focolare movement was founded by Chiara Lubich after World War II. Currently present in more than 180 countries, Focolare has a long list of to-be-canonised saints, demonstrating the transformative impact it has had in the life of the Church. 

Women’s mission and roles reached not their zenith only in the active involvement in lay Catholic movements, parish councils or philanthropic foundations. Many present-day saints have acknowledged the quiet yet formative influence of the women in their families on their spiritual journeys. For instance, St Therese of Lisieux often spoke of the deep faith and example of her mother, St Zelie Guerin Martin, as well as the nurturing influence of her sisters. Mother Teresa frequently pointed to her mother’s compassion and generosity as the foundation of her own missionary vocation. Likewise, the transformative impact of St Monica on the conversion of her son, St Augustine of Hippo, is widely recognised. 

The role of women in today's Church needs to be reflected on the basis of two Church documents for women. Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, 1988), the encyclical by Pope John Paul II, and his pastoral letter Letter to Women (1995). His encyclical, Lay Catholics in Schools: witnesses to faith, is yet another document reiterating the missionary role of working men and women. These documents openly acknowledge that women have played an equal role in the history of the Church. They also emphasise the importance of discovering and using the 'feminine genius' in every Catholic woman, shaping her vocation and life, and bearing the fruits of that feminine holiness. In the words of St John Paul II, ‘the life of the Church in the Third Millennium will certainly not be lacking in new and surprising manifestations of the feminine genius.’

He adds that feminine genius and the personal resources of femininity are in no way inferior or less than that of masculinity, but they are simply different and complementary. So, what stops women from fulfilling this role? It's rather a combination of factors. Historical conditioning has made it difficult for women to break through the barriers in getting acknowledged. Even when they have managed to get through, the aura of habitual male dominance prevented them. Constant reminders about including women sometimes end up in mere representations. Comparisons between men and women have often deepened tensions and created additional challenges, while opposing forms of the call for equality have sometimes led to frustration and disappointment within the Church. On the contrary, sometimes women also tend to submit themselves to the cultural conditioning that devalues or does not acknowledge their dignity, and internalise it. 

The long history of the Church teaches us a simple lesson: women have consistently distinguished themselves in their service to the Lord, often transcending the social limitations of their times. The remarkable lineage of women martyrs, saints, and renowned mystics stands testimony to their courage, faith, and unwavering commitment. The Church in the new millennium needs such women to fervently serve the Lord and His kingdom, at homes, in neighbourhoods, parishes, workplaces, mission stations, and to the ends of the world, because ‘the feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society’ (Pope Francis). For this, the Church at every level has to learn to be open to women, respecting and welcoming them as persons of dignity. Women also need to learn to recognise and embrace their inherent dignity and unique vocation – free from the pressures of rivalry or comparison, and instead grounded in a spirit of co-responsibility. And let the Church be a solid example of genuine inclusion, teaching the world that it is possible in Christ.

Author profile

An academician by profession, Dr Nycil Romis teaches at

Rajagiri College. She lives with her husband and two kids in

Ernakulam, India.