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Our Mission

Women and Justice Team

Advocating for Women in our Church and in our World

The mission of the Women and Justice Team, with the support of the larger Marianist Family, is to:
  • Promote an increase in women’s influence in the Church so the Church can benefit from all the graces given to her 
  • Work towards overcoming clericalism in the Church through reform
  • Commit to opening the door for women to be deacons and priests
  • Recognize and celebrate women in the Church and Marianist Family who have made a difference
  • Give hope to younger women who are frustrated with or considering leaving the Church

VOLUNTEER!

Interest in learning more about or joining this justice team?

The Women & Justice Team has been helping foster conversation within the Marianist Family about women and the diaconate through prayer, education, and dialogue. The team hosted two virtual events exploring women’s leadership and the ministry of deacons which you can watch at the links below:
As part of this ongoing effort, the team also created the Statement of Affirmation Sign On, inviting Marianists to share their hopes for the Church’s discernment and reflect on the women who have shaped their faith journeys. Responses, shared with permission, are being collected as a public witness of support and accompaniment. Add your name and story below! 

Women & the Diaconate

Women and Justice Facebook Page

Advocating for the Voice of Women within the Church

Women & The Diaconate

Women's Justice Events

Women's Justice Retreats

Women & the Diaconate Marianist Affirmation Sign On

In October 2025, the Women & Justice Team hosted their first-ever retreat weekend, Bearers of the Light: Being Called to Transform & Heal. Participants gathered for a grace-filled weekend of prayer, reflection, storytelling, and community, exploring how women—and all people impacted by injustice—can work toward healing and transformation in today’s world.
The retreat included a contemplative labyrinth experience, workshops on women in scripture, opportunities for prayer and conversation with local Marianist Sisters, and time to honor the “sheros” and mentors on whose shoulders we stand. 
The Women & Justice Team is energized by the meaningful response to this inaugural retreat and is interested in offering similar retreat experiences in the years ahead. Stay tuned for future opportunities to gather, reflect, and grow together.

Women's Justice Retreats

Women and Justice Facebook Page

Advocating for the Voice of Women within the Church

Women's Justice Events

Women's Justice Retreats

Women & The Diaconate

The Women & Justice Team has committed to hosting events throughout the year that highlight important women of faith, women in the Marianist tradition, and women's inclusion in the Church. Here is a list of recent events: 
  • Feast of St. Phoebe Prayer and Celebration
  • Mary’s Way of the Cross Lenten Prayer Service
  • Lay Women of Faith & Action: Marie Therese Presentation
  • Celebration of Adele: Past & Present 
  • A Church for Our Daughters: A discussion on the opportunities of the Synod 
  • Seeking Justice and Inclusion for Women in the Church presentation to Visitation State Marianist Community
Interested in one of these events? Have an idea for a new themed event? Reach out to us on our contact form. 

Women's Justice Events

Women and Justice Facebook Page

Advocating for the Voice of Women within the Church

Women's Justice Events

Women's Justice Retreats

Women & The Diaconate

We collaborate with and support two groups: Catholic Women Preach and Catholic Women Deacons. You can read more about these organizations in the resources section below. The team also published a resource, Seeking Justice and Inclusion for Women in the Church, with the North American Center for Marianist Studies (NACMS). People committed to building a more just social order are reminded that the Church must model the kind of just policies and structures that we seek to promote in the broader culture. This guide is an introduction as to how we can seek justice and inclusion for women in the Catholic Church. 

Advocating for the Voice of Women within the Church

Women and Justice Facebook Page

Advocating for the Voice of Women within the Church

Women's Justice Events

Women's Justice Retreats

Women & The Diaconate

We regularly update our Facebook page with events, current issues, articles, and stories of important women throughout history. Please join our Facebook Group! 

Women and Justice Facebook Page

Women and Justice Facebook Page

Advocating for the Voice of Women within the Church

Women's Justice Events

Women's Justice Retreats

Women & The Diaconate

Our Current Projects

• Seeking Justice and Inclusion for Women in the Church Meeting Kit
• Discerning Deacons
• Catholic Women Preach
• Catholic Women Deacons 
• Future Church Podcasts
• University of Dayton Women’s Center 


Resources 

The Women & Justice Justice Team upholds the value of the discipleship of equals within the Marianist Charism. Priests, brothers, sisters and lay people all bring gifts that are equally valued and can be used to serve others. There is no hierarchy within the Family of Mary - a gift that the Marianists can advocate for within the larger church. 

We are also inspired by the example of one of our foundresses, Marie Therese de Lamourous. When the local pastor took the schismatic oath to the new Republic of France, Marie Therese, together with the members of the parish, shunned the services 

Why is the Marianist Family called to work on Advancing women's Justice?

held by the pastor. She herself became the "pastor-shepherd" to the community. Marie Therese also dedicated her life’s work to serving women, some of the most vulnerable in France’s society, who had previously been engaged in prostitution. We feel, as a team, that we can act as a force lifting the voices of vulnerable women worldwide, just like Marie Therese did so many years ago. 

The Women & Justice Issue Team, through our Marianist lens, promotes increased leadership and influence of women in our Church and works to support and lift up all women in the world.