Women in Church History: 21 Stories for 21 Centuries

From Prisca, who preached alongside Paul in first-century Corinth, to Sr. Dorothy Stang, martyred as she worked among the poor in twenty-first century Brazil, Joanne Turpin's women in church history are models for Catholic men and women everywhere. Turpin delivers on her promise to illuminate "her-story" through figures marked by personal holiness, moral courage, and important contributions to development of the Church. In an introductory overview, the author reminds us that Jesus, the apostle Paul, and a host of male saints supported women and encouraged them to use the gifts God gave them. Their stories show a devotion to loving service in roles such as reformer, humanitarian, teacher, missionary, writer, and mystic. Each entry begins with background on the political, cultural, and religious climate of the time and the circumstances into which the woman was born. The stories, all written in the present tense, are engaging, informative, and at times painful. I was saddened by the chronicle of violence inflicted by political leaders over the centuries in an effort to silence many of these women and their fellow Christians who stood up for their beliefs. And I found certain notes on church history especially interesting. For example, the role of deaconess, instituted in apostolic times, expanded significantly in Alexandria during the early 200s as the number of converts increased. Baptismal rituals called for entering the water naked, so women were needed to oversee the immersion of female candidates to avoid any hint of scandal. The fact that this book can spark intellectual curiosity while evoking sorrow for those who have given their lives and pride in being even remotely associated with them is a tribute to the author.

It was a great book and one I will return to. For women who feel they are alone in a men's church. It was great to see these dynamic women, read their stories, celebrate their success in following the Gospel in the place and time they found themselves.