Guest Post: God’s Female Megaphones of Love and Justice by Brenda Noriega

We, women, are not afraid to see the deep wounds of the Church and her members and society. We raise our prophetic voices as many other women did before us like the Canaanite Woman, Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz, Dorothy Day, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and so many others who did not make it to our history books but undoubtedly sustained and transformed communities, and for that, they remain in our hearts. 

Some ideologies oppress our creativity and feminity, those natural gifts we have to offer to society and the Church for in whom’s image we have been created and not for what we lack or how we look. However, God in his infinite wisdom and creativity has opened spaces for our “feminine genius” and “in times when women tended to be most ignored or overlooked, the Holy Spirit raised up saints whose attractiveness produced new spiritual vigor and important reforms in the Church” (GE 12).  Women in the Scriptures might pass “unnoticed.” Still, if we pay attention, we see them being prophets, paying attention to detail, transforming hearts, leading communities, and even changing Jesus’ plans or timeline. God has spoken and loved his people through Myriam, Sarah, Esther, Naomi, the Samaritan Woman, Martha, Mary Magdalene, Mary of Nazareth, Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Mariana of Jesus Paredes, our youth and young adult ministers, our catechists and teachers, our mothers and grandmothers. 

To all daughters of God out there, I want to encourage you not to let the world tell you what being a woman means, how strong, fast, thin, or pretty you are to be. God created you with beautiful qualities and gifts to nourish and heal our wounded world and transform society, building bridges with your prophetic voice, intelligence, and enthusiasm. To all my fellow female ministers, let’s continue the inheritance of courageous women before us who were God’s megaphones of love, justice, compassion, and holiness. Let us continue sharing our gifts and allowing ourselves to be God’s megaphones of love, for we still need more of that feminine genius in decision-making roles in the Church and all levels of society. Brenda is a Maryknoll Mission Promoter and formerly served as the Young Adult Programs Coordinator with the Diocese of San Bernadino. She is a speaker and advocate for the faith. Brenda collaborates in multiple regional committees representing young people and is also a member of the National Advisory Board for young adult ministry. To connect with Brenda, follow her on Instagram @brenda_noriega_yaministry

She has also been a guest on the YM Transfer Podcast. To here her episode click HERE