The Mysterious Sofía: One Woman's Mission to Save Catholicism in Twentieth-Century Mexico

by Stephen J.C. Andes

A history of Global Catholicism told through the eyes of one woman from Mexico. Who was the "Mysterious Sofía," whose letter in November 1934 was sent from Washington DC to Mexico City and intercepted by the Mexican Secret Service? In The Mysterious Sofía Stephen J. C. Andes uses the remarkable story of Sofía del Valle to tell the history of Catholicism's global shift from north to south and the importance of women to Catholic survival and change over the course of the twentieth century. As a devout Catholic single woman, neither nun nor mother, del Valle resisted religious persecution in an era of Mexican revolutionary upheaval, became a labor activist in a time of class conflict, founded an educational movement, toured the United States as a public lecturer, and raised money for Catholic ministries--all in an age dominated by economic depression, gender prejudice, and racial discrimination. The rise of the Global South marked a new power dynamic within the Church as Latin America moved from the margins of activism to the vanguard. 

Del Valle's life and the stories of those she met along the way illustrate the shared pious practices, gender norms, and organizational networks that linked activists across national borders. Told through the eyes of a little-known laywoman from Mexico, Andes shows how women journeyed from the pews into the heart of the modern world.

Genres: Religion

450 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2019

Reviews

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. The author does a great job illuminating revolutionary & post-revolutionary Mexico, the evolution of the Catholic Church, and shifting understanding of gender roles & womanhood in the 20th century, all while chronicling the life of the extraordinary, ordinary person of Sofia del Valle. Topics that can frequently be flattened (political activism, power in the Church, expressions of gender and sexuality) are given nuance and depth, and Sofia emerges a complex, multi-dimensional character. I didn’t always like her or agree with her, but I came away with an appreciation for her determination, strength, and commitment to her perceived calling. The excitement of the Mexican revolution and Sofia’s (presumably) celibate love story added energy to the book and kept it engaging. I’m eager to learn more about the history and people I encountered in The Mysterious Sofia!