MATRON SAINTS OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
Advent is a feminine season.
It is a time for embodied love to be revealed.
It is a time to reflect on the sacred feminine.
It is a time to honour all the un-named women throughout history and holy books
who witness to us about how to reveal the divine.
Ordinary women living extra-ordinary lives.
So this Advent,
I am creating a Matron Saint each day
to say a profound and heartfelt
'THANK YOU'.
It is a time for embodied love to be revealed.
It is a time to reflect on the sacred feminine.
It is a time to honour all the un-named women throughout history and holy books
who witness to us about how to reveal the divine.
Ordinary women living extra-ordinary lives.
So this Advent,
I am creating a Matron Saint each day
to say a profound and heartfelt
'THANK YOU'.
I came across the term 'Matron Saint' several times in a short space of time!
Doll maker Margi Hennen called one of her dolls 'Matron Saint of Safe Credit'.
I fell in love!
The Metropolis of San Francisco of the Greek Orthodox Church use the term Matron and Patron Saints.
Yes!
And then I bumped into The Matron Saints,
a website challenging male dominated nomenclature.
So I decided to call my Advent figures,
Matron Saints.
Doll maker Margi Hennen called one of her dolls 'Matron Saint of Safe Credit'.
I fell in love!
The Metropolis of San Francisco of the Greek Orthodox Church use the term Matron and Patron Saints.
Yes!
And then I bumped into The Matron Saints,
a website challenging male dominated nomenclature.
So I decided to call my Advent figures,
Matron Saints.
Advent is a fickle season.
Although it is the beginning of the liturgical year in the Christian calendar,
it is usually overshadowed by the hype of Christmas.
Even churches deck their walls with twinkling lights and Christmas trees!
Advent varies in length from 22 days to 27 days which makes most Advent calendars
really December calendars or 'Countdown to Christmas' calendars.
And it is a season of 2 parts:
looking back and looking forward.
I am interpreting the 'looking back' as the time of
turning and feeding the soil;
considering where and what to plant;
and evaluating the riches and losses of the past season.
'Looking forward'
I see as a time of nurturing and blossoming and growth.
Although it is the beginning of the liturgical year in the Christian calendar,
it is usually overshadowed by the hype of Christmas.
Even churches deck their walls with twinkling lights and Christmas trees!
Advent varies in length from 22 days to 27 days which makes most Advent calendars
really December calendars or 'Countdown to Christmas' calendars.
And it is a season of 2 parts:
looking back and looking forward.
I am interpreting the 'looking back' as the time of
turning and feeding the soil;
considering where and what to plant;
and evaluating the riches and losses of the past season.
'Looking forward'
I see as a time of nurturing and blossoming and growth.
Each day I will create a simple figure,
an icon really,
to act as a prompt for contemplation, reflection, meditation, and action.
I will write out the day's word and carry it in my mind, my heart and my pocket.
Throughout the day,
I will bring to mind the un-named women who reflect this word for me.
In the evening,
I will challenge myself with questions,
examine my attitudes and behaviours,
hold myself to account.
And finally,
a blessing, a prayer, a word of gratitude.
A grace-filled encounter with LOVE.
an icon really,
to act as a prompt for contemplation, reflection, meditation, and action.
I will write out the day's word and carry it in my mind, my heart and my pocket.
Throughout the day,
I will bring to mind the un-named women who reflect this word for me.
In the evening,
I will challenge myself with questions,
examine my attitudes and behaviours,
hold myself to account.
And finally,
a blessing, a prayer, a word of gratitude.
A grace-filled encounter with LOVE.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO WORK WITH THEIR HANDS
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who work with clay,
work with their hands:
shaping adobe bricks to build houses
creating earthen vessels
repairing broken bowls and honouring the imperfections
How has the work of my hands bettered the life of those around me today?
How have I respected the resources available to me?
Loving creator
I am the work of your hands.
May you be revealed in the work of my hands.
who work with clay,
work with their hands:
shaping adobe bricks to build houses
creating earthen vessels
repairing broken bowls and honouring the imperfections
How has the work of my hands bettered the life of those around me today?
How have I respected the resources available to me?
Loving creator
I am the work of your hands.
May you be revealed in the work of my hands.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO FIGHT THE INJUSTICE OF WOMEN WHO SUFFER
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who fight the injustice of women who suffer needlessly:
from female circumcision
from untreated fistula
from Aids contracted from a spouse
Am I complicit in these unnecessary deaths by my adherence to political or religious dogmas?
How do I support those who work to eliminate this suffering?
Wounded healer
May your tears water the seeds of change.
May your tears wash away my complacency.
who fight the injustice of women who suffer needlessly:
from female circumcision
from untreated fistula
from Aids contracted from a spouse
Am I complicit in these unnecessary deaths by my adherence to political or religious dogmas?
How do I support those who work to eliminate this suffering?
Wounded healer
May your tears water the seeds of change.
May your tears wash away my complacency.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO ARE GROUNDED
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who are grounded,
attentive, practical, engaged:
sowing seeds
planting ideas
staking new growth
bringing about change at grass roots level
Do I have the perseverance to tend to the garden of life?
Am I attentive to the needs of my community?
Do I have the courage to sow seeds of discontent?
Soul gardener
Tend our new growth.
Water our hopes from the well spring of love.
who are grounded,
attentive, practical, engaged:
sowing seeds
planting ideas
staking new growth
bringing about change at grass roots level
Do I have the perseverance to tend to the garden of life?
Am I attentive to the needs of my community?
Do I have the courage to sow seeds of discontent?
Soul gardener
Tend our new growth.
Water our hopes from the well spring of love.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO LISTEN
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who listen:
soul companions and soul friends
counsellors and therapists
hairdressers and checkout operators
with an open mind, an open heart and open hands
who gather the stories of the past
who collect the hopes and desires for the future
who hear the murmur of discontent
who feel the holy longing to reconnect with the divine.
Do I listen attentively when someone speaks to me?
Do I fully engage with the person I am with?
How do I reflect their holy longing?
Weaver of stories
Take the strands of our lives
and weave in me an image of you.
who listen:
soul companions and soul friends
counsellors and therapists
hairdressers and checkout operators
with an open mind, an open heart and open hands
who gather the stories of the past
who collect the hopes and desires for the future
who hear the murmur of discontent
who feel the holy longing to reconnect with the divine.
Do I listen attentively when someone speaks to me?
Do I fully engage with the person I am with?
How do I reflect their holy longing?
Weaver of stories
Take the strands of our lives
and weave in me an image of you.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO FIGHT FOR THE FREEDOM OF OTHERS
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who endanger their own lives to gain freedom for others:
in Women's Refuges,
companioning the fearful and broken
those struggling to give girls an education against traditional prejudices
and to free the young from child prostitution and sweat shops
How do I remember her and all women who have been victimized by violence?
Who empowers me and inspires me to advocate for liberation for all people?
Unconditional lover
Companion those who see your face in the disenfranchised.
Inspire me to follow in their footsteps.
who endanger their own lives to gain freedom for others:
in Women's Refuges,
companioning the fearful and broken
those struggling to give girls an education against traditional prejudices
and to free the young from child prostitution and sweat shops
How do I remember her and all women who have been victimized by violence?
Who empowers me and inspires me to advocate for liberation for all people?
Unconditional lover
Companion those who see your face in the disenfranchised.
Inspire me to follow in their footsteps.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO SEEK EQUITY FOR ALL
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who seek equity for all,
giving more to those who need more:
giving each person they encounter the keys they need
to become the best person they can be
those in soup kitchens and food banks
those providing books to prisoners and gifts to their children
those teaching the illiterate to read
How do I enable these women to continue their ministry to the anawim?
Do I really believe in equity? Do I have the courage of my convictions?
Fairest of the fair
Embrace those who help others become all you created them to be.
Soften my heart to share their burden.
who seek equity for all,
giving more to those who need more:
giving each person they encounter the keys they need
to become the best person they can be
those in soup kitchens and food banks
those providing books to prisoners and gifts to their children
those teaching the illiterate to read
How do I enable these women to continue their ministry to the anawim?
Do I really believe in equity? Do I have the courage of my convictions?
Fairest of the fair
Embrace those who help others become all you created them to be.
Soften my heart to share their burden.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO ARE STEWARDS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who are stewards of our environment:
those who protest against deep sea mining
those who plant trees to protect stream banks
those who save seeds to ensure healthy organic crops
Who embodies the spirit of mana,
or the life-energy and spiritual power
of all creation for me?
Source of all life
Bless those who protect the divine around us.
Open my eyes to recognise you in all things.
who are stewards of our environment:
those who protest against deep sea mining
those who plant trees to protect stream banks
those who save seeds to ensure healthy organic crops
Who embodies the spirit of mana,
or the life-energy and spiritual power
of all creation for me?
Source of all life
Bless those who protect the divine around us.
Open my eyes to recognise you in all things.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO ANCHOR OUR COMMUNITIES
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who anchor our communities,
who are an anchor stone for peace and non-violence:
living in a homeland for generations
preserving traditions and stories and genealogies
volunteering at pre-schools and schools and care facilities
rallying communities and tribes and nations
protesting against corporations who put profit before people and land
Do I know the stories embedded in my community?
How do I contribute to the well-being of my community?
Do I treat indigenous peoples with respect and honour their humanity?
Fount of all wisdom
Continue to water the seeds planted by those who preserve their culture.
Strengthen my roots that I, too, may bloom where I have been planted.
who anchor our communities,
who are an anchor stone for peace and non-violence:
living in a homeland for generations
preserving traditions and stories and genealogies
volunteering at pre-schools and schools and care facilities
rallying communities and tribes and nations
protesting against corporations who put profit before people and land
Do I know the stories embedded in my community?
How do I contribute to the well-being of my community?
Do I treat indigenous peoples with respect and honour their humanity?
Fount of all wisdom
Continue to water the seeds planted by those who preserve their culture.
Strengthen my roots that I, too, may bloom where I have been planted.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO WILL CROSS A THRESHOLD TODAY
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who will cross a threshold today:
from employment to joblessness
from marriage to single life
from well-being to ill-health
How do I support these women who bravely go where they have not gone before?
How do I prepare myself to cross the thresholds of change?
Living joy
Open our hearts to the possibilities of living differently.
Embolden us as we walk the path less travelled.
who will cross a threshold today:
from employment to joblessness
from marriage to single life
from well-being to ill-health
How do I support these women who bravely go where they have not gone before?
How do I prepare myself to cross the thresholds of change?
Living joy
Open our hearts to the possibilities of living differently.
Embolden us as we walk the path less travelled.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO CARE FOR CHILDREN THEY DID NOT BIRTH
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who care for children whom they did not birth:
foster and adopted children
orphans and abandoned children
grandchildren
young people in juvenile justice facilities
children in schools and hospitals
homeless children
Who is a holy reminder of our responsibility to offer radical welcome?
How do I support them in their daily lives?
Warm embrace
Wrap your loving arms around those with a heart for others.
Bless their selflessness which transforms lives.
who care for children whom they did not birth:
foster and adopted children
orphans and abandoned children
grandchildren
young people in juvenile justice facilities
children in schools and hospitals
homeless children
Who is a holy reminder of our responsibility to offer radical welcome?
How do I support them in their daily lives?
Warm embrace
Wrap your loving arms around those with a heart for others.
Bless their selflessness which transforms lives.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO AFFIRM AND ENCOURAGE
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who affirm and encourage,
whose words and actions enable us to become our very best selves,
whose simple presence uplifts us:
mentors and life coaches
soul friends and companions
care-givers and health professionals
Who have I affirmed or encouraged today?
What simple practices can I adopt to affirm and encourage others?
Breath of solace
Breathe on me
May my words and actions be your words and actions.
who affirm and encourage,
whose words and actions enable us to become our very best selves,
whose simple presence uplifts us:
mentors and life coaches
soul friends and companions
care-givers and health professionals
Who have I affirmed or encouraged today?
What simple practices can I adopt to affirm and encourage others?
Breath of solace
Breathe on me
May my words and actions be your words and actions.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO REVEAL HOPE
Matron Saint of the un-named women who reveal hope:
who start again when flood destroys their home and livelihood
who forgive the murderers of their loved ones
who battle against terminal diagnoses
Who empowers me to stand strong in the face of adversity?
What is my source of hope?
Wellspring of hope
Empower those who struggle.
Motivate me to lighten their load.
who start again when flood destroys their home and livelihood
who forgive the murderers of their loved ones
who battle against terminal diagnoses
Who empowers me to stand strong in the face of adversity?
What is my source of hope?
Wellspring of hope
Empower those who struggle.
Motivate me to lighten their load.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO DWELL IN A LIMINAL SPACE
Matron Saint of the un-named women who dwell in a liminal space,
in a place of mystery and unknowing:
outside of institutional church
leaving a family home
on the cusp of dementia
How do I cope with isolation or loss?
How do I live comfortably in a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing?
Am I willing to allow transformation to take place?
Divine flow
As the waters swell, cleanse me of bitterness and regret.
As the waters recede, reveal the beauty of the tides of change.
in a place of mystery and unknowing:
outside of institutional church
leaving a family home
on the cusp of dementia
How do I cope with isolation or loss?
How do I live comfortably in a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing?
Am I willing to allow transformation to take place?
Divine flow
As the waters swell, cleanse me of bitterness and regret.
As the waters recede, reveal the beauty of the tides of change.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO ARE JOURNEYING
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who are journeying:
refugees escaping civil war
moving from dependence and co-dependence to independence
to self-knowledge and self-acceptance
What do I need for the journey?
Do I have the courage and fortitude to travel lightly?
Holy guide
Reveal to us what we need for this journey.
Walk beside us, behind us, in front of us, within us.
who are journeying:
refugees escaping civil war
moving from dependence and co-dependence to independence
to self-knowledge and self-acceptance
What do I need for the journey?
Do I have the courage and fortitude to travel lightly?
Holy guide
Reveal to us what we need for this journey.
Walk beside us, behind us, in front of us, within us.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN WHO ARE INCLUSIVE
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who include all –
ethnicities, ages, genders, belief systems, personalities:
not with tolerance but with a profound joy
not out of obedience but with heartfelt gratitude
not out of their wealth but in their poverty
Who inspires me to speak and act for liberation, freedom, and inclusion?
Do I speak with kindness?
Do I respect the inherent dignity of each person I encounter?
Creative image maker
Bless all those made in your likeness
Open my eyes to see your image in all those I meet.
who include all –
ethnicities, ages, genders, belief systems, personalities:
not with tolerance but with a profound joy
not out of obedience but with heartfelt gratitude
not out of their wealth but in their poverty
Who inspires me to speak and act for liberation, freedom, and inclusion?
Do I speak with kindness?
Do I respect the inherent dignity of each person I encounter?
Creative image maker
Bless all those made in your likeness
Open my eyes to see your image in all those I meet.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO RESPECT AND LOVE THEIR BODIES
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who respect and love their bodies:
who honour the seasons of life
who resist a culture of 'youthfulness'
who take blessed care of their body
Who empowers and inspires me to love my body?
Do I see my body as holy?
How do I respond to the call to be aware of and take blessed care of my body
so that I can birth compassion and mercy?
Loving sculptor,
You have clothed my spiritual being with a human form.
You have entrusted its care to me.
Help me to see it as holy.
who respect and love their bodies:
who honour the seasons of life
who resist a culture of 'youthfulness'
who take blessed care of their body
Who empowers and inspires me to love my body?
Do I see my body as holy?
How do I respond to the call to be aware of and take blessed care of my body
so that I can birth compassion and mercy?
Loving sculptor,
You have clothed my spiritual being with a human form.
You have entrusted its care to me.
Help me to see it as holy.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO SEEK RENEWAL
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who seek renewal:
of our institutions
of our belief systems
of our hearts
Do I have the courage to challenge the status quo?
Who do I know that would inspire me to revolution?
How do I create beauty out of chaos?
Source of all energy
Agitate the apathetic.
Reconfigure the resistant.
Satisfy the seeker.
who seek renewal:
of our institutions
of our belief systems
of our hearts
Do I have the courage to challenge the status quo?
Who do I know that would inspire me to revolution?
How do I create beauty out of chaos?
Source of all energy
Agitate the apathetic.
Reconfigure the resistant.
Satisfy the seeker.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN WHO MIDWIFE
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who midwife:
the birth of a human being
the birth of a new ecology and understanding
the birth of a new paradigm
Where do I belong in the new paradigm?
How does my life reflect a new ecology?
Who empowers me to be creative and courageous and wise?
Can I commit to being born continually?
Blessed midwife
Prepare me for the transitions ahead.
Birth in me a desire for transformation in myself,
in my community,
on this earth.
who midwife:
the birth of a human being
the birth of a new ecology and understanding
the birth of a new paradigm
Where do I belong in the new paradigm?
How does my life reflect a new ecology?
Who empowers me to be creative and courageous and wise?
Can I commit to being born continually?
Blessed midwife
Prepare me for the transitions ahead.
Birth in me a desire for transformation in myself,
in my community,
on this earth.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO HOLD PARADOX LIGHTLY
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who hold paradox lightly:
birth and death
beginnings and endings
pain and joy
Do I cling to what I have always known?
What do I fear that prevents me from living life consciously and fully?
Who is a witness to paradox held lightly?
Grace-filled wholeness
Bless those who can see both sides.
Challenge me to embrace paradox as a companion to wholeness.
who hold paradox lightly:
birth and death
beginnings and endings
pain and joy
Do I cling to what I have always known?
What do I fear that prevents me from living life consciously and fully?
Who is a witness to paradox held lightly?
Grace-filled wholeness
Bless those who can see both sides.
Challenge me to embrace paradox as a companion to wholeness.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN WHO PRAY
Matron Saint of the un-named women who pray:
in silence and in song
with movement or with mantra
alone or in assembly
How do I pray?
Do I believe in the efficacy of prayer?
Am I aware of how prayer changes me?
Where does prayer take me?
Holy prayer, holy praying, holy pray-er
Convict me, console me, companion me
enflame me, enliven me, embrace me.
in silence and in song
with movement or with mantra
alone or in assembly
How do I pray?
Do I believe in the efficacy of prayer?
Am I aware of how prayer changes me?
Where does prayer take me?
Holy prayer, holy praying, holy pray-er
Convict me, console me, companion me
enflame me, enliven me, embrace me.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO CREATE
Matron Saint of the un-named women who create:
with words and dance and stitch and paint and song
with wit and boldness and wisdom
to enable and empower and enliven
Who inspires me to create?
Whose creations are life-affirming, beautiful, and accepting?
Inspiring muse
Inhabit the preparation, the process and the product.
Bless us as we co-create with you.
with words and dance and stitch and paint and song
with wit and boldness and wisdom
to enable and empower and enliven
Who inspires me to create?
Whose creations are life-affirming, beautiful, and accepting?
Inspiring muse
Inhabit the preparation, the process and the product.
Bless us as we co-create with you.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO HONOUR THE SACRED PAUSE
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who honour the sacred pause:
who sit in silence
who hold the promise, fulfilled and unfilled
who sit with the question with open hands and open heart
How do I cope with uncertainty?
Who is a witness to me of patience and openness and presence?
Am I open to transcendence and the miraculous?
Am I open to mysteries that delight even though they may never be solved?
Divine mystery.
Inhabit this sacred moment.
Gaze on us with love.
who honour the sacred pause:
who sit in silence
who hold the promise, fulfilled and unfilled
who sit with the question with open hands and open heart
How do I cope with uncertainty?
Who is a witness to me of patience and openness and presence?
Am I open to transcendence and the miraculous?
Am I open to mysteries that delight even though they may never be solved?
Divine mystery.
Inhabit this sacred moment.
Gaze on us with love.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO ENCOURAGE US TO LIVE SIMPLY
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who enable others to become self-sufficient
who witness to a life focused on the present moment,
who encourage us to live simply:
those who fund and/or establish micro businesses
those who demand fair trade
those who discourage consumerism and adopt a voluntary simplicity
Can I live with simplicity and gratitude?
What attitudinal changes would I need to make?
God of enough
Help me live comfortably with what I have.
Grow in me a grateful heart.
who enable others to become self-sufficient
who witness to a life focused on the present moment,
who encourage us to live simply:
those who fund and/or establish micro businesses
those who demand fair trade
those who discourage consumerism and adopt a voluntary simplicity
Can I live with simplicity and gratitude?
What attitudinal changes would I need to make?
God of enough
Help me live comfortably with what I have.
Grow in me a grateful heart.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO DISPLAY INTEGRITY
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who display integrity,
regardless of consequences to themselves:
whistle-blowers in exploitative companies
those who expose the 'elephant in the room'
those who confront bullies and abusers
What is the source of my integrity?
Who empowers me to fight injustice?
Expand my heart
Fill me with courage to protect the most vulnerable.
Fill me with the grace I need to shoulder the consequences.
who display integrity,
regardless of consequences to themselves:
whistle-blowers in exploitative companies
those who expose the 'elephant in the room'
those who confront bullies and abusers
What is the source of my integrity?
Who empowers me to fight injustice?
Expand my heart
Fill me with courage to protect the most vulnerable.
Fill me with the grace I need to shoulder the consequences.
MATRON SAINT OF THE UN-NAMED WOMEN
WHO ARE FILLED WITH GRACE
GRACE
up reaching
out stretching
unfolding
unfurling
GRACE
foundational
intuitive
generous
fruit-bearing
GRACE
a gift
a blessing
a promise
a revelation
GRACE
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who are filled with grace
Revealing a daughter of the divine,
known and loved
Embodying the woman I hope to become
up reaching
out stretching
unfolding
unfurling
GRACE
foundational
intuitive
generous
fruit-bearing
GRACE
a gift
a blessing
a promise
a revelation
GRACE
Matron Saint of the un-named women
who are filled with grace
Revealing a daughter of the divine,
known and loved
Embodying the woman I hope to become
This image is the reverse side
of the last ten Matron Saints.
Assembled, they reflect a piece of fabric I found,
an apple tree changing through the seasons.
Assembled, the Matron Saints
reflect the woman I am striving to become,
changing and growing through the seasons of my life.
of the last ten Matron Saints.
Assembled, they reflect a piece of fabric I found,
an apple tree changing through the seasons.
Assembled, the Matron Saints
reflect the woman I am striving to become,
changing and growing through the seasons of my life.
