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Book Discussion:

"The Mystics Would Like a Word"

Sponsored by the Feminist Theologies Committee

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. CT

St. Scholastica Monastery

or via Zoom

Monthly meeting dates are listed below.

The Feminist Theologies group is having its first monthly gathering for this year on September 18, 2025 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm either in-person at the Monastery of St. Scholastica or by Zoom.

This year, we will be discussing the book The Mystics Would Like a Word by Shannon K. Evans. A little bit about this book:

Is there a Christian spirituality that embraces the entire reality of womanhood?

The answer, Shannon K. Evans suggests, is an emphatic yes. There is a spirituality that meets us in every part of our lives, developed by the women who came before us. Six mystics—Teresa of Ávila, Margery Kempe, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and Thérèse of Lisieux—revealed a faith big enough to hold the experiences of women, the yearning for autonomy, and the challenges of motherhood and identity, as well as life with male authority and—sometimes—violence. These six women, self-determining, stubborn, and unapologetically themselves, asked questions in their time that are startlingly prescient today, and fought for women’s experiences to be heard, understood, respected, and recognized as holy.

In The Mystics Would Like a Word, readers will discover the story of Christian faith and spirituality as told by these extraordinary and wise women, one that speaks directly to today’s unique experiences, and leads to wholeness, healing, and spiritual vitality.

You are invited to join us as we explore and discuss the insights of this remarkable book! We will have light refreshments available at our gatherings (not a supper as in past years), and participants will be asked if they would like to bring any bars or cookies throughout the year for our sessions.

*Please let us know if you need help to order your book through the St. Scholastica Monastery Gift Shop (Tuesday - Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 218-723-7009) or if you choose to purchase your own through a different retailer.

The dates of our Thursday meetings and the pages which will be discussed are as follows.

September 18

October 16  

November 20  

January 15 

February 19

March 19 

April 16

May 21

Intro & Ch. 1; pages xiv - 17

Chapters 2 & 3; pages 18 - 49

Chapters 4 & 5; pages 50 - 79                                             

Chapters 6 & 7; pages 80 - 110        

Chapters 8 & 9; pages 111 - 135        

Chapters 10 & 11; pages 136 - 165

Chapter 12 & Review; pages 166 - 179

Review of Benedictine Conversation

No cost, but please register.

Feminist Theologies Book Discussion Group

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St. Scholastica Monastery

1001 Kenwood Avenue

Duluth, MN 55811

(218) 723-6699

retreat@duluthosb.org

Find us in Stanbrook Hall which faces the lake and is next to the chapel by following the signs to Duluth Benedictine Ministries.