St. John Paul II: A Champion for Women
“Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world's understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic” (Pope St. John Paul II, Letter to Women).
In one of the first images I ever saw of young Karol Józef Wojtyła (later Pope John Paul II), he was hiking in the mountains with a group of young adults. The image struck me, as it showed an adventurous and friendly side of such a powerful figure in Church history. His casual outfit, large smile, and caring nature were evident through this image. The pope’s true persona bled through this image, as I saw a man with a desire to love everyone around him.
It was through this image I found a champion for women.
Who Is St. Pope John Paul II?
Many of us know who St. Pope John Paul II is. He was pope during much of our upbringing and one of the first popes to travel abroad extensively. He carried a message of anti-violence, anti-oppression, and anti-materialism throughout the world.
Born in Poland, Karol Wojtyła grew up during World War II, when Nazis occupied his country. While he was attending university, the occupation forced his school to close, leading Karol to work in a quarry and a chemical factory as a young adult in order to avoid deportation to Germany.
He felt the call to the priesthood in 1942 and, after the war ended and despite the anti-Catholic Soviet occupation, entered the seminary in Krakow, Poland. His journey as a priest was honorable and full of love for the Lord. Wojtyła was a professor of philosophy, created ministries for young married couples and families, and took hiking trips with youth groups.
Over time, Karol was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow, was selected to be a cardinal, and ultimately became Pope John Paul II in 1978. While in the papacy, he traveled extensively, wrote several books and apostolic letters, formed a commission to draft the Catechism of the Catholic Church, crafted Theology of the Body (a 129-lecture series depicting God’s image of human sexuality and purpose), and so much more.
A Champion for Women
One thing to admire about St. Pope John Paul II is his deep admiration and respect for women. In 1988, he wrote the first apostolic letter ever directed to women of the world: Mulieris Dignitatem. It outlines the specific dignity of women and the exceptional impact we make on society. Drawing comparisons to Mother Mary and Eve, he showed how women throughout history have changed the course of the future—and will continue to do so.
In 1995, Pope John Paul II also shared a message to women at the Fourth World Conference on Women: Letter to Women. In this written and spoken piece, John Paul II thanked women for all we contribute to society—all women, including mothers, daughters, sisters, working women, wives, consecrated women, single women, and so on.
There are so many competing messages, on social media, in the news, and even among the opinions of friends and loved ones, about what women ought to do with our lives. There are arguments, even among women, pertaining to working mothers, stay at home mothers, women working in certain industries, single women, consecrated women, and married women. Pope St. John Paul II reminds us through his writing that any of those paths can be the right one.
All women, no matter their relationship status, working status, or number of children, have a distinct and special vocation. As John Paul II explained in Letter to Women:
My word of thanks to women thus becomes a heartfelt appeal that everyone, and in a special way States and international institutions, should make every effort to ensure that women regain full respect for their dignity and role. Here I cannot fail to express my admiration for those women of good will who have devoted their lives to defending the dignity of womanhood.
Through this letter, Pope John Paul II also apologized for how women have been poorly treated throughout history. He recognized that simple words without action are not justice, but his desire was for women to see our worth and value to society. He also encouraged governments and leaders to listen to women, understand our needs and desires, and see the wealth of knowledge we can bring to any table.
What It Means for Catholic Businesswomen
Pope John Paul II’s writings are still relevant to us today. As Catholic women in business, we all encounter hardships. We encounter difficulties in maintaining work/life balance; we struggle when trying to prioritize family with difficult work policies; and we deal with the pain and sometimes guilt that can come from juggling a career with motherhood, friendships, and family life.
It’s important to remember that our desire for family; our thoughts, ideas, and knowledge at work; and our relationship-building strengths are not accidental. We are gifted with innate qualities and desires from the Lord that help us leave an indelible mark on our world.
Use your gifts and talents to make your workplace better. Use your desire for family life to advocate for better maternity leave and family-friendly policies. Your kind spirit will make your home and work environments a safer place for all. Never lose sight of the gifts you bring to the table, not just at home but in the workplace as well.
Pope St. Pope John Paul II showed us the goodness of our femininity and how vital women are in every facet of life. Take his remarks with you each day as you navigate the workplace, take care of your family and friends, study and achieve your goals, and live as a Catholic woman of God.
St. Pope John Paul II, pray for us!
Marisa McDonald lives in Central Indiana with her husband and energetic German Shepherd pup. She is the Community Manager for a local nonprofit which connects women in the community with professional mentorship opportunities. She aspires to start her own social enterprise or non-profit some day. On weekends, you can find her hiking with her husband and dog throughout Southern Indiana, making meals and hosting family and friends, or heading to the local coffee shop for a latte. Connect with Marisa through Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.