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The Book of Lamentations, then and now, offers a language for grief, fear, and despair.

God is culpable. There is no other way to come to terms with God’s character that is true to the Bible and our lived experience.

This story of lamentation to liberation has countless fictional elements. It simply could not have happened as recounted. The power of the story is that it happens all the time.

The cry that begins our lives is not the sound of despair, but of hope, a reaching toward connection, toward comfort, toward life itself. So it is with lament.

We too often think of it as just complaining, playing the blame game, an excuse for negativity, or a “poor me” syndrome. But, as we’ve seen from the story of Job, the Bible does recognize the validity of the human need to lament. 

Persist in faith! / Swallow God’s / unconquerable Grace! / Let Evil strangle as / Grace dissipates!

My fear is that if we cannot go to that dismantled place, one of deep confusion and grieving, as well as silence and desolation, then we will not be able to fill our days with new perspective, vigor, and wonder for what life could be.

Walking with the authors of what I have termed “memoirs of lament,” sensitizes me to their suffering and the suffering of others.

We are called to persevere, to continue both study and discussion on the role of women in society and the Church.

It is not my intention to eulogize Eloise; rather, I propose to give you some insight into this vibrant, committed, passionate Sister of Mercy.

The Church’s treatment of women contrasts strongly with Catherine McAuley’s understanding and practice of leadership and leadership development.

Not long ago, Cardinal Walter Kasper told the international Catholic journal Communio that the diaconal ordination of women was theologically possible and pastorally sensible.

We will focus on the organic development of the role of instituted lector to mine a theology of ministry of all baptized believers and the centrality of the Word of God in the mission of the Church.

Growing up in a very small town, my first somewhat official involvement with the clergy and the structure of the Church was when I was in eighth grade.

It is this legacy of strength and boldness that propels us forward as Catholic women religious, enabling us to continue meeting the needs of the times.