The Wisdom of Women
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Hagia Sophia Holy Wisdom
In Jewish scripture, Sophia is a feminine voice, in contrast to a God of domination and force. Jesus, too, has a Sophia heart, not the heart of someone seeking power.
Mary of Nazareth
Mary embodied the qualities of the divine wisdom of Sophia. She was a being whose heart was fully open. Mary was the ordinary wife of a carpenter, who cooked, scrubbed, wove and tended the garden. Yet she was the extraordinary Mother who stood unflinching under the cross of her dying Son. She was the life and soul of the disciples gathered by Jesus.
Hildegard of Bingen
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) composed music, and spoke of Christ as God's song. At a time when few women wrote, Hildegard produced major works of theology and visionary writings. Her books contain more than 2000 remedies and health suggestions. At a time when few women were respected, she was a trusted advisor of bishops, popes, and kings.
Mechthild of Magdelburg
At the age of twelve Mechthild of Magdeburg (1210-1282) had a mystical experience in which she saw "all things in God and God in all things." Mechthild's book The Flowing Light of the Godhead describes her experience of mystical union in terms of a sacred marriage between the soul and Christ. Her poetry stands out as among the most elevated mystical love poetry in the German language.
Juliana of Norwich
While severely ill at the age of 30, Juliana of Norwich (1342-1416) had a number of visions of Christ on the cross. She became an anchoress who lived in a hut attached to the church of St. Julian. She was the first woman to write a book in English. Revelations Of Divine Love is a meditation on God's eternal and all-embracing love, as expressed in the Passion of Christ.
Catherine of Siena
Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) — mystic, healer and peacemaker — started her ministry nursing the sick, distributing alms to the poor, and ministering to prisoners and black plague victims. Catherine also served as a peacemaker, mediating between feuding families and warring political factions. Her great work, The Dialogue, describes her mystical conversations with Christ.
Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) — mystic, reformer, and author — is one of the towering figures in Christian history. Shortly after taking her vows, Teresa became gravely ill, and began receiving visions. Eventually finding her original house too lax, Teresa reformed her Carmelite Order.
Therese of Lisieux
Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) known as the Little Flower of Jesus, entered monastic life at 15. She spent her years washing laundry, sweeping corridors and struggling to stay awake during meditation, then died of tuberculosis at 24. On the surface, Therese's short life accomplished next-to-nothing. Yet she helped revolutionize modern Christian concepts of holiness through her spiritual autobiography, The Story of a Soul.