Becoming Ecclesia : Women Are A Living Reflection of The Church
Women are called to be a living reflection of The Blessed Virgin Mary, and thus a living reflection of The Church. How can women "become Ecclesia?" How can we personify The Church?
A most blessed Holy Thursday, and Holy Week. As we are in the midst of the most Holy Week of the year for The Church, and The Sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday; I am reflecting on how women are called to be a reflection of The Church, who is The Bride of Christ.
The Catechism of Trent defines "Ecclesia" as The Church, which is the faithful of the whole world. One title of The Blessed Virgin Mary, is "Mater Ecclesiae" which means "Mother of The Church." The Church is portrayed often as a woman, named Ecclesia, who is The Bride and virginal spouse of Jesus Christ. The identity of Ecclesia, is The Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the icon of The Virginal Spouse of God.
Andrea Pozzo, "Ecclesia.” c.1695-1700, St Ignatius' Altar, Church of Jesus, Rome. (Photo by Lawrence OP)
Women are called to be a living reflection of The Blessed Virgin Mary, and thus a living reflection of The Church. How can women "become Ecclesia?" How can we personify The Church?
By dressing the part. First and foremost, veiling whenever in the presence of The Most Blessed Sacrament. Everything that is sacred within the Church is veiled. Therefore women who are the bearers of life, and are the reflection of The Church, wear veils on their heads to reverently display their irreplaceable dignity and worth in the eyes of God.
The modern world is trying to erase womanhood and cannot even define the word "woman." Veiling, is a major way to define your womanhood in all its truth and glory. Grace flows in the proper order, and as a woman wears a veil on her head when she is getting married; a woman should also be wearing a veil on her head upon reception of The Holy Eucharist, which is Christ, Her Holy Bridegroom. Let us remember that earthly marriage is a reflection of the marriage between God and the soul. You can dive deeper into this notion, upon understanding bridal mysticism.
Me in a veil one glorious Easter Sunday.
"Woman, because she was created by being drawn from man's side, is constantly trying to return to him. She desires the original unity of one flesh and one bone. The desire for unity between man and woman is a mirror of the relationship between Christ and the soul. As a woman longs for union with man in human relationships, she is also drawn to unity with God. He calls her to become one with Him: to come under His side and become flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. This occurs during the reception of The Eucharist. The covering of the head with a veil symbolizes the reality of a woman sheltered in the side of her Source and becoming one with Him. She becomes covered and hidden in her Divine Spouse." - Saint John Chrysostom
In addition to veiling, dressing according to the liturgical season is another way to embody Ecclesia. The Church has different colors throughout the liturgical calendar; and one way to exude being a reflection of The Bride of Christ is to dress according to the liturgical color of The Church.
Me on Palm Sunday, wearing red to match the Church.
White is worn during the Easter Season and Christmas. Red is worn on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost. Violet is worn during the Advent Season and Lent. Green is worn during ordinary time.
I encourage you to begin veiling at Mass, and dress according to the liturgical season and major feasts within The Church. This will help you to personify Ecclesia, and become a living reflection and witness to The Bride of Christ, The One Holy Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Let us dive deeply into the mysteries of The Triduum, and emerge from the barren wasteland of Lent, into the blooming morning of The Resurrection, adorned with flowers.
Serviam.
March 6th is Holy Thursday, when Jesus Christ instituted The Sacrament of The Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper; and instituted The Priesthood. "Then Jesus said to them: Truly, truly I say unto you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no life in you." - John 6:53
Jean-Baptiste de Champaigne, "The Last Supper" c. 1678, oil on canvas, Detroit Institute of Arts.
Please see this link : 5 Extraordinary Eucharistic Miracles that Left Physical Evidence ( With Pictures! ) about Eucharistic Miracles within The Catholic Church. The Catholic Church truly has The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Not a symbol, but truly God in the Flesh.