Truly Our Sister: A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints

by Elizabeth A. Johnson

The first-century Jewish woman Miriam of Nazareth, mother of Jesus, is the most celebrated female religious figure in the Christian tradition. Elizabeth Johnson offers an interpretation of Mary that is theologically sound, spiritually empowering, ethically challenging, socially liberating, and ecumenically fruitful. In particular, she sees the image of Mary as a blessing rather than a blight for women's lives in both religious and political terms.

"If you read only one book on Mary in your lifetime, let this be the one." American Catholic Booksellers'

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, Nonfiction, Catholic, Feminism

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Johnson grew up in Brooklyn, New York, the oldest of seven children in an "Irish Catholic family." As a young adult she joined the religious order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph whose motherhouse is in Brentwood, Long island, NY. She received a B.S. from Brentwood College in 1964, an M.A. from Manhattan College in 1964.

1981, she became the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in theology at the Catholic University of America (CUA). CUA is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church and is the only university in the U.S. founded and sponsored by America's bishops. Johnson recalls that her experience there was "rich, respectful, and collegial," but was also "lacking in female presence." During her studies there in the 1970s Johnson observes, "I never had a woman professor, I never read one woman author. There were none to be had. It was a totally male education." CUA attempted to remedy this when Johnson herself was hired into a tenure-track position in Christology. She became one of the first female theologians allowed to receive a doctorate by the church authorities, as a result of the "liberalization decrees that capped the Second Vatican Council." Feminism had begun impacting the thinking and dialog of female Catholic theologians, and pioneering feminist theologians Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza and Sandra M. Schneiders influenced Johnson on feminist topics, including using feminine metaphors and language for God. Inspired by their example, Johnson and other women graduate students formed a group, "Women in Theology."

She has served as head of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Theological Society.

While at CUA in 1980 she felt profoundly affected by events of the Salvadoran Civil War when four American women, including three nuns, working as missionaries and helping oppressed people to escape violence, were abducted and killed by a death squad. Johnson mourned the women, but she "redirected her anguish by carrying out their mission in her own field of theology."

Johnson notes that leaders of her religious community encouraged her to enter the field of theology and pushed her to continue in spite of obstacles. "When I applied for tenure at Catholic University, I received the full positive vote of the faculty. But the outcome was in doubt because some bishops were not happy with an article I had written," she says, referring to her article questioning the traditional view of Mary as "humble and obedient." Though she contemplated leaving rather than facing the "arduous process of interrogation," General Superior Sister John Raymond McGann advised her not to give up, and Johnson did receive tenure.

Johnson had taught science and religion at the elementary and high school level, then taught theology at St. Joseph's College (New York) and at CUA before moving to Fordham in 1991. At Fordham, she was named Distinguished Professor in 1997 and "Teacher of the Year" in 1998.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books takes one on a journey that brings Mary back to "earth" if you will. This approach to the understanding of Mary is one that should have been taken many years ago. This book also address how we got to this place over the centuries and what we need to do to have a deeper and more approachable look at Mary in the real world ~ starting with her real world, and taking her off the pedestal. She is a real person ~ this needs to be part of the conversation and Elizabeth Johnson does just that.
Not an easy read for everyone, but certainly worth the time to read for those interested. Would be a wonderful text in an appropriate class.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! I read it to supplement my textbooks and I am thrilled that I found it. This book is for any woman looking for a modern scholarly examination of the BVM!

[Cappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a thoughtful exploration of the popular piety that swallowed up the memory of Mary - and a way forward down a more satisfying path.

[Clare Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth A. Johnson is incredible, and what a great book to read during Advent. A little dense, but Johnson’s work is so thoroughly researched and packed with insight. Great feminist perspective that is intersectional, globally minded, and historically based while still centered on theology and religious practice - I say as a Protestant :)

[MargCal · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ☆
Finished reading ... Truly Our Sister: A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints / Elizabeth A. Johnson ... 13 July 2018
ISBN: 9780826418272 … 379 pp.

Definitely a minority interest, this one.
Cradle Catholics of a certain age were brought up with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as impossibly perfect, unreachable paragon, plaster saint. Not someone I and many others could relate to at all.
In this volume Elizabeth Johnson rescues Mary from the accretions of history, revealing a flesh-and-blood Jewish woman who led a real life, one whose example can be followed, internationally, in this day and age.
Highly recommended … for people like me!

[Dawna Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this more or less by accident. My reason for reading it was totally different than what this book actually is. But it is said that he right book will find a person for whom it was intended and that's how I feel about this book. I loved it. And it was very enlightening as well!

[Anne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an important book and one of the most formative I’ve read in a few years. My favorite part: “the Hebrew word for mercy is linguistically rooted in the term for a woman’s womb.” I mean, that about sums it up right there.

[N Powers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would respect this author more if didn't pretend to espouse Catholic theology while rejecting it for (post)modern social caprice

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, thorough discussion of Mariology from a feminist theology perspective. Although raised in the Catholic faith I was not familiar with Mary’s doctrine beyond a superficial level. This book gave a thorough background of popular and religious views on Mary from which to begin. It was also a scholarly argument based on scripture and Vatican II for Johnson’s point that Mary can serve women better when we are a part of the conversation about her significance in the church and in our lives.

Part one discusses the ways women today struggle to define Mary’s role in their lives through various popular and feminist perspectives. Part two sets forth the traditional views of Mary as ideal virgin and ideal mother and why the author believes these views can inhibit a modern woman’s approach. Part three explains Johnson’s thesis of removing Mary from her cumbersome and problematic pedestal in order to remember her as an actual historical woman who struggled with her faith and spiritual path. The fourth part paints a picture of Mary’s historical world and the part she played in it as a poor, Jewish woman living under Roman rule. My favorite part was the final section where Johnson takes us through each scriptural reference of Mary and discusses her spiritual role and it’s implications.

I greatly appreciated Johnson’s explanation of the Trinity, especially the role of the Holy Spirit, and the difference between created and uncreated Grace. She also argues that we shouldn’t need Mary as an intercessor between us and an unapproachable God. But that we can use her example along with the other female cloud of witnesses to inform our own struggles with faith while we follow our spiritual path. If you do not care for a scholarly defense of her thesis you could read only parts 4 & 5 and get quite a lot out of this book. I believe this will help me in my faith and understanding as I continue to think about and read more feminist theology. And while I learned as a child how to “say”the rosary, I believe this is a first step as an adult in learning to “pray” the rosary.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal. There are so many quotations I marked and could cite here, but this book should be experienced in its totality. I would highly recommend it to anyone struggling with or doubting their relationship with Mary, as well as to those looking to deepen their relationship with her, and also to those interested in feminist theology.

[Rubén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un referente para el estudio mariológico contemporáneo desde la perspectiva feminista. María de Nazaret desde su dimensión histórica se asoma a una compleja realidad que inspira las luchas sociopoliticas desde el sur global. Una lectura recomendada para quienes desean madurar su fe y devoción marianas.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the loooooong read...I wish Catholic clergy would all have this as a mandatory read...and women definitely need to study this!!!

It's going to take generations to rid ourselves of the sicky sweet presentation of Mary, Mother of God to get to an appreciation of who she really was....

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never quite finished this, but did enjoy it.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is rather scholarly....a bit too much for me. Parts of it were interesting.