Mary Magdalene Goes to the Synod: Expanding the Lectionary to Include Stories of Our Foremothers in Faith

Most Catholics, including Catholic bishops and priests, do not realize that many important stories of our foremothers in faith are excluded from our lectionary. For instance, the full story of Mary Magdalene’s Easter proclamation of the Risen Christ is NEVER heard on Easter Sunday (John 20: 1 – 18). Thus, Catholics are deprived of learning about the gifts, grace, courage, and ministry of women such as Mary Magdalene whose memorial was raised to a feast day in 2016 and is officially known as the “Apostle of the Apostles.” Others left out include Phoebe the diakonos, Junia, Prisca, Shiprah, Puah and many more First and Second Testament women.

As we head towards the 2024 Synod, help us to share the Good News that women have been integral to shaping our Christian tradition and their inspirational stories should be included in our lectionary!

Expanding the Lectionary is Essential

There is something of consequence at stake for women and for the Church as a whole in the choice of scripture passages which are heard in the regular Sunday morning assembly. The ways in which we understand and know God are formed within the liturgy of the church. What we pray and sing, as well as the stories we re-tell in public worship form and shape what we believe about God, ourselves, and our relationship to God and to each other.

What the Synod Synthesis Says

The October 2023 Synod Synthesis lays the foundation for a review of the current lectionary to address the women omitted and to recover their stories of faith for all Catholics today. Catholics worldwide have been clear, “The Churches all over the world have expressed a clear request that the active contribution of women would be recognized and valued, and that their pastoral leadership increase in all areas of the Church’s life and mission” (9, i).

Omissions and Stereotyping

There are many examples of biblical passages about women that have been omitted, relegated to weekdays, made optional.

To Our Sisters and Brothers at the Synod

As all the faithful work together to bring forth a synodal church, we hope renewed dialogue and discernment will lead to an expansion of the lectionary.

Begin a Dialogue and Raise Awareness

As a part of a synodal church, you can begin new dialogues regarding the need to expand the lectionary.

Essential Readings and Articles

While many scholars have addressed the need to expand the lectionary to include our foremothers in faith, Sr. Ruth Fox, OSB and Dr. Regina Boisclair are two prominent scholars whose research have reached many Catholics regarding the women omitted, made optional, or stereotyped in the lectionary.

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