Diocese invites ‘Feminine Geniuses’ to brunch, workshop

On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Diocese of Metuchen will host a “Feminine Genius Brunch” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway.  The event, which is open to women of all ages, is modeled after events recently hosted by the Archdiocese of New York and the Sisters of Life in various parts of New York. The morning includes prayer, fellowship, good food, music and guest speakers.

Pope St. John Paul II first coined the phrase “feminine genius” in his 1995 “Letter to Women,” which was written as a prelude to the United Nations World Conference on Women held in Beijing, a time when abortion was being considered as a universal human right.  In the letter, he emphasized the important role women play in society and the Church and highlighted the distinct attributes of women, namely – receptivity, sensitivity, generosity, and maternity – all of which make up the feminine genius.

Receptivity – a woman is uniquely designed to make space within herself for another.

Sensitivity – a woman’s gift to see with her heart, to perceive.

Generosity – a woman’s gift to selflessly pour the light of Christ into another.

Maternity – a woman’s gift to nurture mind, body and soul within herself.

In his 2018 apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et exsultate (Rejoice and be glad), Pope Francis affirms the writings of Pope St. John Paul II on the feminine genius.  “I would stress too that the ‘genius of woman’ is seen in feminine styles of holiness, which are an essential means of reflecting God’s holiness in this world.” Pope Francis highlights the many women saints who the Holy Spirit has raised up as well as “all those unknown or forgotten women who, each in her own way, sustained and transformed families and communities by the power of their witness.”

The feminine genius is a God-given capacity that needs to be recognized and cultivated.  At a time when gender confusion is exploding all around us, the Feminine Genius Brunch is an opportunity for women to gather and reflect on the wonderful beauty and strength there is in being unapologetically feminine. Contrary to what our culture tells us, our dignity as women is not defined by our external qualities or physical appearance; it is defined by our unique and diverse talents and gifts breathed into us by God at conception as a GPS to our true feminine vocation.

To help us explore the attributes of the feminine genius, the brunch will feature two guest speakers.  Shannon Whitmore is the author of the recently published book, “See Yourself as God Does:  Understanding Holy Body Image.”  In a world where the media, influencers and celebrities set beauty standards, many women struggle with poor body image, which too often leads to eating disorders, cosmetic surgeries and quick fixes to achieve the ideal.  Using Sacred Scripture, Shannon will help us to discover that every woman, regardless of her physical appearance, is a masterpiece of God.

Our second speaker, Lillian Fallon, is an author of the upcoming book, “Theology of Style.”  Her mission is to help women realize their identity as individuals made in the Image of God through personal style. Through the lens of Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body,” she will help to unpack the connection between the physical and interior of the human person and body/soul unity.

It is our hope that the talks and experience of this brunch will help us to grow in holiness by revealing the amazing gifts we have as women and by opening the hearts of all who attend to the Holy Spirit who longs to spark these gifts to life!  The cost is $20 per person.  You may register at: https://diometuchen.org/events/feminine-genius-brunch.

Jennifer Ruggiero is Secretary, diocesan Secretariat for Family & Pastoral Life.