I just wanted to shar
e a short reflection with you based on quotes from two of my favorite women role models, Audrey Hepburn and Our Lady (not necessarily in that order of course). Audrey Hepburn once said, "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides." I love this quote. It's so easy to get caught up in exterior "measures" of beauty. I think it's important to admit that. Just because we are Catholic women that doesn't mean that we will never feel the pressures that the world puts on women to always look perfect and in control, without a hair out of place. When necessary, we should admit that we feel these pressures, but we can't stop there; most importantly, we must remind ourselves (and our sisters in Christ) of the truth about beauty.
The truth is that beauty is intimately connected to love. Our Lady of Medjugorje said, "I am beautiful because I love." Beauty is not measured by height or weight or style, it is measured by love. I think Audrey captured this idea especially well when she said that the beauty of a woman can be seen in her eyes. One of the gifts of our feminine genius is receptivity and (ordered) sensitivity. These gifts are especially manifested in the eyes of a woman. I remember a priest telling me once that you can tell when a woman is really listening to someone and taking in what they're saying because you can see it in her eyes. There's something really special and beautiful about that.
So my challenge to you is to reflect on beauty and to repeat this truth to yourself and your sisters as often as necessary-- "I am beautiful because I love."
My name is Megan Dougherty, I am 21 years old and a senior at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I am the oldest of 9 children, my siblings are some of my best friends. I love to read and write, especially on topics that are relevant to young women.
Visit Megan's blog For Love of You
e a short reflection with you based on quotes from two of my favorite women role models, Audrey Hepburn and Our Lady (not necessarily in that order of course). Audrey Hepburn once said, "The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides." I love this quote. It's so easy to get caught up in exterior "measures" of beauty. I think it's important to admit that. Just because we are Catholic women that doesn't mean that we will never feel the pressures that the world puts on women to always look perfect and in control, without a hair out of place. When necessary, we should admit that we feel these pressures, but we can't stop there; most importantly, we must remind ourselves (and our sisters in Christ) of the truth about beauty.The truth is that beauty is intimately connected to love. Our Lady of Medjugorje said, "I am beautiful because I love." Beauty is not measured by height or weight or style, it is measured by love. I think Audrey captured this idea especially well when she said that the beauty of a woman can be seen in her eyes. One of the gifts of our feminine genius is receptivity and (ordered) sensitivity. These gifts are especially manifested in the eyes of a woman. I remember a priest telling me once that you can tell when a woman is really listening to someone and taking in what they're saying because you can see it in her eyes. There's something really special and beautiful about that.
So my challenge to you is to reflect on beauty and to repeat this truth to yourself and your sisters as often as necessary-- "I am beautiful because I love."
My name is Megan Dougherty, I am 21 years old and a senior at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I am the oldest of 9 children, my siblings are some of my best friends. I love to read and write, especially on topics that are relevant to young women.
Visit Megan's blog For Love of You
This raises some very interesting thinking for me.
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Autumn
What a beautiful post! Think about it. Some of the most beautiful women, are those who truly, unselfishly love - the beauty they possess on the inside exudes from them. I think that is why I believe (though I have not seen her yet!) that Mother Mary will surely be the most beautiful woman my eyes ever behold!
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