Being a widower, [my wife Marianne died on 8/9/13]
Works of Mercy, by the Master of Alkmaar in 1504, for the St. Lawrence church in Alkmaar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I thought this sermon and the reflection by Fr. Zuhlsdorf was inspiring and because I’m involved with the Bereavement group at our parish, I totally agree with Fr. Z in regard for an Order of Widows be revived. Here is his comments from his blog and below that is a link to read what the Holy Father said:
First, the sermon seems to have had a nearly Patristic ring, stemming from his use of types and symbols.
Second, the widows the Lord encounters, such as the widow at Naim whose only son died were, in the ancient world, among the most vulnerable of all the “little ones”, in Hebrew anawim, the unprotected. A woman without sons and husband was vulnernable and alone. So too, today, is Holy Church becoming a widow in many ways, especially where she is being pushed to the margins and out of the public square.
Third, in the ancient Church there were “orders” of classes of people consecrated for work in the Church, especially having to do with corporal works of mercy. For example, there was an order of consecrated virgins. This order has been revived since the Council. There was an order of gravediggers. There was an order of widows. They had to be 60 years old, of good reputation, and engaged in works of mercy. The Church looked after them, especially through the ministry of deacons.
Fourth, contrast what the Holy Father says about these widows with his warning to modern women religious not to become “zitelle… spinsters”, which in Italian hints at sourness.
There has been some discussion of a revival of the Order of Widows.
Statue of (a) mother at the Yasukuni shrine, dedicated to those mothers who lost their husbands in the war but suceeded in raising their children anyway. Erected in 1974. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
<h2>I warmly and wholeheartedly support a revival of the Order of Widows.
May Pope Francis give close consideration to the work that has already been prepared concerning a modern incarnation of the Order of Widows.</h2>
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