a Catholic Feminism
by Melissa Kummerow
At 30 years old,
coming from a broken family whom I love,
I am finally beginning to learn and open myself to what it means to be a woman,
how to be on my own side,
how to protect my heart through my body,
and more.
Being woman is not just that I am female. I have lived this way all my life - living as woman because I am woman, while not being fully on my own "side.”
I am coming to appreciate and learn that my body is not against me.
My body is made for the potential to bring forth another soul.
My moon cycle (the word menstruation comes from the word 'month' and 'month' comes from the word 'moon') is an opportunity to experience life in a wholly different and sensitive manner.... if only I allow it to.
I have not loved my body throughout my life.
I have made compromises for it.
I have forced it to undergo stresses.
I have wreaked violence upon my body.
I have cursed my moon rather than learning from it (our cycle can give us women clues about our health... physical, and emotional, which I argue is tied spiritually as well. It's a holistic thread).
I am in cautious awe during this journey of opening myself up to the sacredness of womanhood,
learning from the Mother herself.
I am learning (very, very slowly and stubbornly) about foods that uplift and take care of me.
I am learning about viable and healthy sexual practices (natural family planning, or, fertility-tracking… something not only Catholics uphold. See Christine Kjaer or Elsa Rhae).
I am becoming more comfortable every day with the beauty of being woman... the archetypal beauty of womanhood (not the cultural expressions or societal “ideal” of such).
It sounds strange perhaps.
But I know other women like me exist.
And it's time I begin holding womanhood kindly in my hands… the kind of womanhood that embraces my body and psyche as God created them.
It is time I respect my fertility.
Time I not compromise my soul with my bodily actions.
Time I become one with my body.
To embrace and protect my womanhood.
