Reflections on St. Phoebe the Deacon

This Sunday, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Phoebe the Deacon. Saint Paul entrusted Phoebe with the Letter to the Romans, which she successfully delivered to the people of Rome. Phoebe’s delivery was unlikely to resemble a USPS drop–off. Phoebe most likely stayed with the Romans and helped explain the concepts in the letter. Have you ever been in a situation in which a woman, perhaps your mother, dear wife, or daughter, or even a talented presenter, shed light on a previously confusing or challenging topic and you experienced an epiphany of realization? Perhaps your eyes started seeing clarity and your ears began having understanding. It happens all the time when our Priests present homilies on the Word of God, and some women of faith also serve God by helping us understand concepts.

One example of a woman of faith who helped explain God to the Catholic Church is Saint Julian of Norwich. After being healed from the plague by a crucifix, Julian experienced visions in which Jesus appeared to her and explained concepts which she preached to us through writing. Saint Julian is the first female writer who published a book, resembling Saint Phoebe who was the first female deacon who is thought to have preached the New Testament. These examples highlight the idea that women’s experiences can help us understand difficult concepts. Wouldn’t we all love our favorite bible teachings, Catholic moral teachings, and Catholic practices of tradition to be explained clearly and candidly to our loved ones, so that our loved ones understand and adhere to them? Women Saints like Phoebe and Julian provide good examples that we can call on to help us explain God’s word to our friends and our families.Thank you, and may God bless you with the blessed hope in the Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paula Warren, parishioner and volunteer receptionist at Parish offices