For All of Humanity
A Report from the International Congress on Mulieris Dignitatem
held in Rome, February 7–9, 2008

by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Pilgrimaging to the Eternal City were 260 delegates comprising mostly women and a few men from all corners of the world. They represented 46 countries and five continents called together by the Pontifical Council for the Laity to partake in the International Congress marking the twentieth anniversary of the apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem.

Mulieris Dignitatem (“On the Dignity and Vocation of Women”), presented by Pope John Paul II on August 15, 1988, is the first apostolic letter totally dedicated to women. The Pontifical Council for the Laity saw a need to

review the progress made over the past twenty years in the field of the advancement of women and the recognition of their dignity; to open up a reflection in the light of revelation on the new cultural paradigms and on the difficulties faced by Catholic women as they strive to live according to their identity and to collaborate in fruitful reciprocity with men in building up the Church and society; to remind women of the beauty of the vocation to holiness, that to belong to the Church is to be enfolded in the mystery of communion, and that, as players in the mission of the Church, they are to place all the richness of the feminine “genius” at the service of evangelization within the family, in the workplace, politics and culture.

This provided the impetus for the Congress, which centered on the theme “Woman and man, the humanum in its entirety.”

Certainly there was much excitement and anticipation among the chosen delegates as they sat clad in translating headsets at the Grand Hotel Palazzo Carpegna near the Vatican, eagerly awaiting the opening prayers and address by Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

O’Boyle presents copies of her books to Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, as author and radio show host Teresa Tomeo looks on.

I was one of the honored delegates seated in that room, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude to be present at the history-making event arranged by the Holy See. It’s not often that I get a chance to retreat from the world to study, pray, and reflect, so you can probably imagine the deep joy I felt at being able to go to the “mountain” with the others chosen for this work.

“A great richness for all of us”: Understanding the Dignity of Women

In his opening address, His Eminence Cardinal Rylko reminded us that Pope Benedict XVI said that he who accepts the challenge of going deep into the document offers “great human richness not just for women but for all of us.” Cardinal Rylko said that in 20 years this apostolic letter had lost nothing of its relevance and continues to be a great source of inspiration to meditate upon and study in order to bring out its richness.

The Congress gave us the occasion to review with fellow Catholics the freshness of the document’s thought—freshness of the ideas of Pope John Paul II—and to rediscover the feminine genius of Mary, who exhibited its fullness. Cardinal Rylko explained that this letter shows the undeniable witness and example that John Paul II gave to theological anthropology. “God created the person as man and woman. Only on this principle can we understand the dignity of woman,” he said.

As we began the three-day Congress, the delegates were encouraged to “give a clear and persuasive Christian message and not allow ourselves to be dictated by worldly models . . . Our Lord demands that disciples go bravely against them.” As Cardinal Rylko reminded us, “Christ is the key to going deeper into the mystery of the human person.”

The three days were packed from morning to night with intense, thought provoking, and affirming conferences, separated by short respites of coffee breaks and meals in which delegates could converse with other participants. Conferences were followed up with open discussions in which delegates in the audience could request opportunities to present questions to the presenter or panel. Holy Mass was celebrated each day.

Panel discussions included topics such as Christianity and the advancement of women, the role and mission of women, and problems and contemporary cultural trends. Presentations were given on topics including “Jesus of Nazareth, Mary, and women in the Gospel and the early Church”; “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”; “Person, nature, and culture”; “Woman and man, created each for the other”; and “Woman’s responsibility and participation in the building up of the Church and society.”

Workshops were conducted on the last day of the Congress under the overarching theme of “Predominant challenges perceived in various parts of the world.” The specific topics addressed were, “Promoting women’s dignity,” “The importance of marriage, family, and motherhood,” “Defending the dignity of women in a technological and consumeristic society,” “The role of women in communicating the Christian faith,” “The integral formation of women,” and “Women confronted by fundamentalism and violence.”

Meeting with Our Holy Father

A highlight of the Congress for participants was the audience with Pope Benedict XVI. We delegates were transported to the papal palace, where we excitedly lined up and processed into the meeting room. All 260 delegates, representing the various parts of the world, sat together in great anticipation of their “Papa” Benedict’s address to them after having completed intensive days of reflection on his predecessor’s apostolic letter.

After thanking us for our work at the Congress, Pope Benedict said:

The question on which you are reflecting has great contemporary relevance: From the second half of the twentieth century until today, the movement for women’s rights in the various settings of social life has generated countless reflections and debates, and it has seen the multiplication of many initiatives that the Catholic Church has followed and often accompanied with attentive interest. The male-female relationship, in its respective specificity, reciprocity and complementarity, without a doubt constitutes a central point of the “anthropological question” that is so decisive in contemporary culture. The papal interventions and documents that have touched on the emerging reality of the question of women are numerous . . . God entrusts to women and to men, according to the characteristics that are proper to each, a specific vocation in the mission of the Church and in the world.

Pope Benedict had much to say to us about what has transpired over the years for women and also a look at the future for women and man. His address is available at the Dignity of Women website (www.dignityofwomen.com).

The Holy Father sent us off with warm words: “Dear brothers and sisters, I thank you once more for your visit and, while I wish you complete success in the work of the conference, I assure you of a remembrance in prayer, invoking the maternal intercession of Mary, that she help the women of our time to realize their vocation and their mission in the ecclesial and civil community. With such vows, I impart to you here present and to your loved ones a special apostolic blessing.”

The Mission of the Laity to Spread the Word

Our incredible audience with the Holy Father was followed by an afternoon of workshops. Cardinal Rylko then brought the Congress to a close and reminded us that “Christ is counting on each of us. . . . Christ is sending us out.” He asked us to remember that the voice and presence of each of us is so important and he thanked us for coming together with our contributions. He said the mission and vocation of the lay faithful is to be missionaries and share the experience. Many of us seemed to be sitting on the edges of our seats and nodding in agreement with him—accepting our missions, some with tears of joy and affirmation in our eyes.

With much encouragement, Cardinal Rylko told us, “Come down from the mountain and go against the current—be a contradiction giving witness.” He asked us to be not afraid that we may seem to be a minority. “Salt is a minority but it gives flavor, yeast is a minority but makes the whole dough rise.” He also warned us to be careful not to feel invisible, insignificant, or worn out: Christ has told us that “we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.”

These poignant words resonated in my being—these were the words I have used myself to encourage women through my talks and in my writings. The message resolidified my vow to continue to pray to be God’s instrument to aid women in realizing their beautiful dignity and the great gifts they are in God’s eyes, and to encourage them to go on to help other women who are struggling. The laity must not be complacent—we have all been given a mission, and by God’s grace it will be accomplished through us.

The words of Cardinal Rylko and Pope Benedict resounded in my heart with an eloquence and profundity that affirmed the gift of my own sublime dignity as a woman. However, I know that these words were not meant only those of us who were present; they are meant for the world.

With all of the graces, blessings, Catholic camaraderie, and encouragement we experienced at the Congress, we will by God’s grace go forth to bring the message to the world. It is my hope that each of us in all of our walks of life will become missionaries and study and reflect upon the beautiful apostolic letter Mulieris Dignitatem of our dear Pope John Paul II to bring the freshness of his sentiments about the dignity of woman to our confused world. We must not be afraid to be salt and a light to the world, leading the way for others, always responding with loving hearts, and allowing God to minister through us to the wounded around us.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and a Lay Missionary of Charity, is the author of the best-selling books Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (OSV, 2005), The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home (Crossroad, 2006), and Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena For Expectant Mothers (Crossroad, 2007). All were endorsed by Bl. Teresa of Calcutta and blessed by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Her work can also be seen in several magazines and Catholic websites.

The Pontifical Council for the Laity is expected to publish the presenter’s speeches in the near future. Lay Witness will post the links here when they are available.

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