I’m making my way south to Los Angeles where I’ll be teaching an adjunct theology course next month. Last night, we attended a vigil Mass in Brookings, Oregon, the southernmost part of the Archdiocese of Portland.

Much, much, much to my surprise, at the end of Mass, the pastor announced that the Archbishop had asked each pastor in the Archdiocese to consecrate his parish and flock to the Immaculate Heart of Our Lady of Fatima. This is surprising if you know anything about the more recent history of the Catholic Church on the west coast/in the pacific northwest. Here’s the Archbishop’s letter, explaining his decision – namely that he’s following the example of Pope Francis.

Admittedly, such a decision might seem old school, but it’s really amazing. I love that the Pope, Archbishop Sample, his pastors, and many other Church leaders around the world, see the necessity of entrusting the Catholic Church to Mary, the Mother of God. It’s an act of trust, of submission, and of love. It says that we can’t do this on our own, that we need the help of a woman who gave herself entirely to God and who gives herself to anyone who asks her help, all without losing her dignity. On the contrary, her dignity comes from her supreme gift of self. “Be it done unto me according to Thy will.” [Note – the “Thy” here is God, not anyone or anything else.]

As the saying goes for feminists of varying stripes, when you want something done, ask a woman!