Mulieris Dignitatem. La dignidad de la mujer

by Pope John Paul II

Commemorate the 25th anniversary of John Paul IIs landmark apostolic letter on women! Published on August 15, 1988, Mulieris Dignitatem explores the role and value of women in relation to the Church, the family, and society. This annotated edition offers contemporary insights that respond to the urgent questions raised in recent decades about the feminine vocation. Insightful questions suited for individual or group use, applicable prayers, and ideas for meaningful action engage readers.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Spirituality, Faith

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Saint Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), born Karol Józef Wojtyła was elected Pope at the Conclave of 16 October 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. On 22 October, the Lord's Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years.

Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.

He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.

His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.

Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.

With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.

He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.

In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.

Reviews

[Alan A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The anthropology of the Pontiff on the discussion that’s primarily aimed at the contributions, advocation, defense, and mutuality of womanhood is shown nowhere else better, I’d say, than this very letter which serves to reveal explicitly the dignity of womanhood and women in general, as the title of this writing is named as. I’ve had to read portions of it myself before getting into it for discussions concerning the woman’s role in the ecclesial life as a baptized and in the public sector in the secular life. It’s phenomenal and this really goes complementary to his famous ‘Theology of the Body’ series which is a collection or compilation of catechesis, letters, books, and public appearances about man and women, who are created in the image and likeness of God.

[Shelby Poinikiewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was amazing. I underlined so much and told all the women to read it if they want to feel loved and appreciated by the man who loves women the most, John Paul II.

[Stephanie Marcinkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of a graduate program on Catholic Women's and Gender Studies.

[M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

2016 re-read: It doesn't only confirm the thoughts of my previous review, but also it makes clear that an anthropology willing to address the unique features of the feminine is necessary in troubling times, now that gender ideology has taken over and has essentially taught men and women to hate each other and themselves, all in the name of the liberation of women and minorities. It's quite sad if you think about it.


This document makes us see a return to the origin of communion as a possible way out by strengthening yourself in giving yourself to God and others. It surely gives me more strength and reaffirms this mission I have put myself into as I meditate on the mytery of what it means to be a woman, and how this makes me relate particularly with others, God and my neighbor. The dignity of women must be taken caren of by themselves and by men, who attempt against their own nature as they commit an unjust act against any woman. Pretty much it takes onto Biblical sources and Church Fathers to build a vision very similar to that of St. Gregory of Nyssa, which is very inviting considering how he fought for the dignity of the ones who are often left behind.

Also, I think that this work invites us to rethink feminism so as to make it really inclusive. Disabled women have been left out by a lot of feminist theory and it's time to reaffirm life when the things that make us women are being denied, I'm not only talking about bodies but our very particular way to deal with things beyond any stereotype.
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2015 review: I've wanted to read Mulieris Dignitatem for too long and maybe it works as an answer after having read a feminist, well known outlook on the situation of women. Maybe, it also works as an answer in a society where women are ridiculed by following a religion, claiming independence of men by becoming objects and succumbing to bad worldly things in the name of liberation, things that make them renounce their own nature.

Pope John Paul II starts this letter with a brief introduction on how dignity of women has been biblically rooted, and its progress discussed in preceeding encyclicals to his own, and the declaration of St. Thérèse Lisieux and St. Catherine Siena as Doctors of the Church. Then, he moves on forward to the explanation of human dignity, being what allows us to unite with God. The vocation of the Virgin Mary, expressing a particular union with God that's exclusive of women as it is the relationship between Mother and Son. This express a peak on the recognition of the vocation of women that's fulfilled in Mary.

In the Council of Ephesus (431 AD), the essential meaning of the motherhood of Mary was formulated in a solemn way. She's not only the mother of Jesus as a human but also of the divine person, since motherhood involves all the person, and this is what the title Θεοτόκος (Mater Dei) expresses. It's a gift from the Holy Spirit but also a decision that Mary has assumed with her free will. With her confirmation, Mary turned into the authentic subject of that union with God, realized in the mystery of Incarnation of the Word. Every action of God in the history of man always respects the will of men. The same occurs with the Announciation in Nazareth.

The Announciation is a dialogue and is defined as such by the words that the Angel says to her: "gratia plena" . All of the dialog reveals the supernatural dimension of the event. Grace does not annulate or do without Nature, it makes Nature more perfect and noble. This peak of Grace means a peak of perfection of what's feminine. This is the archetype of female dignity.

Both Mary and Christ are always conscious of the fact that they are there to serve God. To serve means to reign. Every woman and men created to image and likeness of God cannot realize themselves outside this image.

There's no contradiction between the two texts in Genesis that describe the creation of male and female. When the woman is created from the rib she's put as an interlocutor with man. Woman, called to existence is immediatly known by man as "flesh from his flesh and bone from his bones", and this is why she's called a "woman". The biblical text provides enough evidence to recognize the essential equality between women and men given their humanity. Institution of marriage is called by God in the moment He commands them: " Crescite et multiplicamini, et replete terram". Man is a rational animal, this is what makes men and women able to dominate the animal world. Institution of marriage in the moment of creation.

Unity of men and women. Humanity is a call to interpersonal communion. The masculine and feminine are God-given, wanted qualities.

Because man is made in God's image, God must be somewhat similar to man and this is why He can be known.

Anthropomorphic nature of God: neither masculine of feminine but root of all love, specially parental love since He's Our Creator. Men and women are procreators.

Nature of original sin and how it wounds us while failing to destroy the image of God there is in us. Woman will be dominated by man when the unity is lost because of it. Marriage demands respect and to make the true personal subjectivity of both more perfect. Woman can't be an object of man. By carrying sin, both men and women carry the tendency to break that armony that's God-given. The oppostiion to male domination cannot result into the masculinization of women, because it'd deform her feminity.

Personal resources of feminity aren't inferior to those of masculinity, but different. Men and women must understand self realization as a person, their dignity and vocation over those resources. Woman and the author of sin will be enemies. Prefiguration of Mary in the Announce of the Redeemer. Contrast between Eve and Mary. Mary receives and embraces the mystery of womanhood that Eve has already experienced. Eve was the mother of humanity, but Mary is the new Eve, the new beginning of the dignity and vocation of women.

Christ was, before his contemporaries, a person who promoted women's true dignity and their vocation. Unnatural condition of divorce. Women in Jesus' life and sayings. Forgiving of prostitutes who repent. Women who are left alone with their kids, the evil of abortion, all those are signs of sin.

Women must evangelize, the woman who's forgiven by Christ turns into a disciple that announces her Savior. She announces the Faith's deeper truths. Christ shows affection, admiration by the feminine answer of faith, and this lovingly way of doing so is put as an example. To the feet of the Cross women were in the first place. They also were the first witnessess of the Resurrection. There's a special sensibility that belongs to women. Unity in Christ does not make diversity become null.

Motherhood and virginity are two dimensions of the woman's vocation in its realization. They both coexist in Mary without excluding or limiting each other. Motherhood is possible through the union of two persons. Knowledge in the biblical sense. Parents must be open to a new life after this. Women are naturally designed to become mothers. Mention of scientific study and discovery, as well as analysis of pregnancy. Though women must not be preys of this scientific reductionism. Men must assume the responsibility of parenthood too. Motherhood is not only linked to flesh and blood but to something more profound. Pain of women during the process of giving birth and its relationship to the Easter mystery. The suffering linked to mtoherhood and the well being of her children.

Celibate freely chosen in order to reach Heaven. Virginity is also a vocation and a way to God for women. Spiritual motherhood in nuns and missionaries. Without Mary is impossible to understand the mystery of the Church and its reality. The mystery of the woman that's mother- virgin and spouse. The Church is Christ's bride. Importance of apostolic letters.

[Michal Čop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Čakal som viac, ale potom som si uvedomil, že to je vlastne teologické a nie filozoficko-spoločenské dielo, tak som spokojný.

Kniha v zásade tvrdí, že muž aj žena majú rovnakú dôstojnosť, no, že majú rozdielne dary. Zároveň však, že sa nedá povedať, že dary mužov sú lepšie, alebo hodnotnejšie ako dary žien.

Ďalej obsahuje vysvetlenie, že slová knihy Genezis o tom, že muž bude nad ženou vládnuť a žena bude po ňom túžiť neznamenajú, že to tak má byť, ale, že to je následok dedičného hriechu, ktorý sa kresťania majú snažiť zmierňovať.

A čo sa týka tých darov, ktoré majú ženy, tak to je najmä väčšia citlivosť voči človeku, ktorá vychádza z materstva, ako špecificky ženského daru, ktorá robí ženu pozornejšou a odvážnejšou voči iným ľuďom.

Pre mňa osobne bolo tiež zaujímavé zistenie, že vlastne kresťania boli prví, ktorí sa snažili o zrovonopávnenie žien. Taktiež vysvetlenie, prečo sú kňazmi len muži. A, že žena vlastne učí rodičovstvu muža.

Bavil ma vysvetlenie prvých kapitol Genezis a tiež rozbor evanjelií, kde sa ukázalo, že Ježiš bol vo vzťahu k ženám riadny rebel a reformátor.

Škoda len, že takých praktickejších, či konkrétnejších pasáži tam nebolo viac.

[Mary-Therese P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so blessed to find this book when I did. It answered or explained many questions I didn't even know I had. The clarity and charity in which John Paul II writes is such a gift. Hope to reread soon, I have a feeling this is one that I will get a new insight every time I revisit. 100% Recommend!

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegí leer este libro luego de expresar mi postura en una red social sobre el matrimonio en general. Esto evidentemente se abre en dos puntos; la primera es el lugar de la mujer en la iglesia y cómo entender lo expresado en el antiguo testamento sobre una mujer sumisa; y la siguiente es porqué se aceptan únicamente las relaciones hombre-mujer.

No hace falta comentar que cuando uno toma esta postura, usualmente lo que uno expresa está bajo la sombra de "imposición", "ridiculez", y aquí no hay libre expresión que valga.

Este libro contiene una buena dosis de verdad, que en realidad solo puede ser entendida si se tiene apertura, humildad y caridad; pero especialmente amor a Dios.

En fin, a veces es necesario leer para proclamar después.

[Peter Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good work on defending the dignity of women, but I was looking more for a Thomistic exegetical analysis of Genesis, the Greek roots of “submission” in Scripture, and a synthesis between the Church Fathers’ thoughts and the Magisterium’s development/teachings on the equality and nature of women in sharing in the “imago Dei.”

[Javier Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

En esta carta apostólica el papa polaco expone unas pocas premisas sobre la mujer en la Iglesia y, por supuesto, en las Sagradas Escrituras. Desde el Genésis hasta los evangelios, desde el relato de la Creación hasta la relación de Jesucristo con las mujeres. Todo ello para tratar temas como la dignidad de la mujer, su valor, la maternidad o la virginidad.

Es una obra en la que san Juan Pablo II redunda en ideas, pero que revela ciertas enseñanzas de sencillo aprendizaje y aplicación a la vida. Así mismo, es una obra importante para entender su pontificado y la posición, postura y magisterio sobre la mujer de los pontificados posteriores hasta la fecha.

Sin duda una obra interesante y, aunque presente ideas que nos puedas chocar, es recomendable su lectura.

[Marcia Nesiosup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una lectura muy necesaria en tiempos donde la feminidad no es comprendida ni valorada como corresponde, no solo por hombres sino también por las mismas mujeres. Querer amar y sabernos amadas por lo que somos requiere que conozcamos a profundidad nuestra esencia, nuestro origen y también hacia dónde estamos siendo llamadas en esta época que necesita tanto del genio y creatividad de la mujer. El ahora santo Juan Pablo II, toca siempre mi corazón y abre mi mente, con cada uno de sus escritos, con su estilo tan artístico para tocar temas profundos. Es indispensable que en algún momento de nuestras vidas todas las mujeres nos cuestionemos acerca de nuestra dignidad y vocación en el mundo.

[Peter Asper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mulieris Dignitatem sets a high standard for understanding the role of women in the world and the Church. Its depth and breadth of consideration is formidable but also very uplifting. In contrast to the many struggles across the world, including modern American society, over issues that generally fall under the heading of feminism, Pope John Paul the Second sets forth a lighthouse beacon for all those who desire to understand the inherent dignity of women. The future will likely mark this work as earth-shaking and formative of all careful thought concerning women.

[Kristin Gottron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this fairly quickly--definitely warrants a closer read later on! I read it primarily to refresh my thinking on my role as a single woman working in a male-dominated field. I found what I was looking for in the idea of woman's being entrusted with the human being. I hope to use that idea as a benchmark as to how my femininity can particularly enrich my current work. Was also struck by the reflections on motherhood and virginity, and also the Lord's affirmation of women in the Gospels.

[Inés · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literalmente es un abrazo a todas las mujeres, un avivamiento, un recordar nuestro importante papel en el mundo y en la Iglesia, y un rememorar el gran amor que Dios Creador y Salvador siente hacia la mujer.
Aclara diversas preguntas que hoy en día, más que nunca, asaltan a la mujer católica; y reafirma en nuestra femineidad, un don precioso.
Todo de la mano de San Juan Pablo II que tanto amó a la Virgen María, la Mujer por excelencia.

[Sasha Wolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

St. John Paul II was clearly drawing on his earlier Theology of the Body when he wrote this. I did not feel it added anything new; it would make a good taster for someone considering reading the earlier work.

[Alex Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal. A must read - especially for marriage prep. JP2 provides an in depth presentation on often misunderstood Bible verses, returning to the original purpose of humanity as we relate to God in order to understand womanhood.

[Paulina Hernández Torruco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lectura imprescindible para creyentes y no creyentes. El análisis de la importancia de la mujer en sus diversos roles, la reivindicación de su papel y la explicación teológica que da sentido a la femineidad tan necesaria y llena de riqueza es algo que toda mujer debería conocer.

[Allan Claydon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for work, wouldn't read this for pleasure

[Claire Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman should read this.

[Tom Barmaryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one word...Wow

[eleanor · Rating 2 out of 5]

this man didnt really seem to have a point but i liked some points, not all points

[OSCAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Considero que esta encíclica si bien consiguió demostrar la igualdad ontólogica y de dignidad con el varón, no reparó o soslayó (posiblemente el objeto de la encíclica era justamente destacar el "valor" de la mujer para el cristiano) la especificidad del "ser mujer". Encontré también difícil compaginar la virginidad con el matrimonio, y esto se debe a que desde el surgimiento del monacato (en realidad, en Pablo hay pulsiones ascéticas), ha sido difícil compaginar la lógica familista de la iglesia en gran parte de su historia y la irrupción del fenómeno de los "eunucos" por Dios. Considero que la encíclica, como algunos otros documentos papales, terminó por llenar de fárrago para mostrar que había una argumentación más profunda en el texto. De este documento supongo yo, salen las alusiones que se usan para mostrar que la Iglesia no es "machista", por ejemplo, que las primeras personas que supieron que Cristo resucitó fueron mujeres.

Posiblemente mi baja calificación es que esperaba encontrar en el documento la lógica interna que llevó a que el cristianismo lograse liberar a la mujer de sus viejas ataduras. Por parquedad de "Mulieris dignitatem" debí buscar sobre el tema de la mujer en otra literatura.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book for my Mariology class, this was life changing. I felt seen as a woman.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

In August 1988, the Pope released an Apostolic Letter entitled On the Dignity and Vocation of Women. It was revolutionary at the time, because it was the first papal document that addressed women and their unique role, not only in the Church, but in the world. Now, almost 30 years later, this document is just as relevant, if not more so.

The document begins by talking about the timeliness of this Apostolic Letter. Pope John Paul II then explains how this topic was brought to light both in and before Vatican II. He reflects on the recent female Doctors of the Church and discusses his encyclical Redemptoris Mater. Part II reflects on Mary the Mother of God (Theotokos). In this section, he reflects on the fact that a woman (Mary) was at the center of salvation, because it was through her Fiat that Jesus came into the world. He also talks about how Mary is the ultimate example of a woman and her vocation. Part III takes us back to Genesis and man being made in God's Image. Part IV compares Eve and Mary. Part V focuses on Jesus Christ and His interaction with women. This is the most fascinating section as it discusses the value which He placed on them, how it was uncommon for that time, and how they were the first witnesses to the Resurrection. Part VI addresses motherhood and virginity, which are mentioned hand in hand in Christ's teaching, but share a distinctness to them as well. Part VII and VIII talk about the Bride of Christ and love.

There has been a lot of talk about feminism lately, but that is false feminism. If you want to understand the true beauty of women and their vocation, I highly recommend this book. It not only contains the Pope's words, but reflections and points to ponder as well. Be sure to check out this book and other anniversary editions of Pope John Paul II's writings.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems to be the Year of the Encyclical for me, as they are popping to the top of my TBR pile. I wish, however, that I'd started with this one: I found Genevieve Kineke's musings and questions presented for meditation invaluable in my deeper understanding of Pope St. John Paul II's writing on women. Finishing a chapter, I'd think I'd dug the truth out of it only to find more nuggets waiting for me in the commentary, much as a clever professor helps students to discover why a particular piece of literature is deemed a "classic." Worth reading and re-reading, this edition of Mulieris Dignitatem is the one to get!

[Ce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a long time recommendation from Katrina Zeno, my spiritual mother. In this letter, I discovered the dignity that women have under God's plan and the important mission we each carry. To Catholic women, this should be a MUST read and study document.

[Eleanore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Pope John Paul's teachings of the respect and honor Jesus gave to the women in his life.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. LOVED every second of it! I may even have to read it again! ;)

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Every time I read an encyclical I am blown away by the insight. The perfection of thought has to be divinely inspired.