Toward Full Discipleship Discussion Guide

Upon This Tradition IV:
Toward Full Discipleship:
An Interim Statement on the Role of
Benedictine Women in Church and Society

Reflection and Discussion Guide

(Adapted from Saint Benedict's Monastery, Saint Joseph, Minnesota)

INTRODUCTION

1. Identify ways in which both Vatican II and the women's movement have touched you or women you know.

2. How do you experience the excitement and the pain of being a woman in the Roman Catholic Church?

THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS

3. By baptism all persons are called to the fullness of discipleship and to transformation in Christ. What are the implications of this for women in the church?

4. What are your favorite images and names for God? What is the weakness and strength of each name? Are you comfortable with any feminine images or names?

5. In your lectio this week, take note of the variety of images for God found in the Scriptures.

THE RULE OF BENEDICT AS EMPOWERMENT

6 . What are common reactions to the term feminist? Do you agree with this document's definition of feminism?

7. How do humility, community, and contemplation empower women? Do they empower men differently?

HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE

8. How can we help to make the feminine monastic tradition better known?

MONASTIC AND ECCLESIAL ASPECTS

9. What for you affirms the dignity and equality of each member in community? What diminishes it?

10. Identify two ways in which you could advance the equal- ity and dignity of women. What new opportunities for women does your community provide? What dreams would you like to explore?

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE AND ITS MESSAGE

11. Have you experienced oppression in your life just because you are a woman? Do you think religious life provides you with privileges and status unavailable to many other women?

12. What changes in church and society would you like to see?

FUTURE TRENDS AND CHALLENGES

13. What contributions can Benedictine women make to the achievement of feminine equality? Select any that you think are especially relevant and indicate why.

IMPLICATIONS

14. Of the implications given, name the three that are most challenging to you. Which three would you like to study more? Are there any with which you disagree?.

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Page created by: Linda Herndon, OSB of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas
Page created: January 13, 2002

Upon This Tradition IV: Toward Full Discipleship: An Interim Statement on the Role of Benedictine Women in Church and Society

Reflection and Discussion Guide

(Adapted from Saint Benedict's Monastery, Saint Joseph, Minnesota)

Upon This Tradition IV:
Toward Full Discipleship:
An Interim Statement on the Role of
Benedictine Women in Church and Society