Praise for women

Pope Benedict's Prayer intention for March: "That the role of women may be more appreciated and used to good advantage in every country in the world".

Absolutely. Women play so many important roles in the Church, society, the family, and more.

Maybe this is a good month to think of some of the women saints, women on the path to sainthood, and women who are saints but may not be "officially" recognized.

Maybe this is a good month for each of us to thank the women in our lives whom we appreciate for who they are, all they do, and the examples they set.

Maybe this is a good month to reflect on all the ways and the times that we have failed to appreciate women, that we underestimated them, kept them from achieving what they could accomplish, unjustly put our needs and wishes above theirs, and so many other transgressions.

Mary, pray for us.

Forgive us.

St. Clare, pray for us.

Forgive us.

St. Therese, pray for us.

Forgive us.

St. Bridget, pray for us.

Forgive us.

St. Monica, pray for us.

Forgive us.

St. Catherine, pray for us.

Forgive us.

All you other holy women, pray for us.

Forgive us.

And thank you.