Judy Lee was ordained a deacon by Dana Reynolds, the first U.S. Roman Catholic Womanbishop,
on April 30th in California. Two other women were ordained at this ceremony.
Judy Lee wrote this poem:
The breeze blew gently Through the open doors
And windows of the blessed House that was a sacred church,
Either way a place establishedAnd maintained by love alone,
Bathed in sunlight and nestled In the green brown California hills
Where we ate dinner outside the Night before,
Scented by mountain flowers and aTouch of the Pacific Ocean below
Where surfers in wetsuits catch the Waves and children dance and play.
And a deep orange monarch butterfly Released yesterday by one of us,
Returned and lingeredFor a moment at the window.
Surrounded by a crowd of lovingWitnesses from forever long and now
Welcomed with arms and hearts,
And the voices of angels,
Three women from West, Central And Southern States,And East long before that,
Different as they could be United in purpose and call,
Came to make their vows-
To read, believe and Practice what they teach
And serve the poor and sick
And all who need the love Of Christ out at the margins
Where Jesus met people
And transformed their lives.
Facing a front window where Purple, yellow and red flowers
Swayed gently to the musicThat enveloped them, And all of us,
Vene Sanctus Spiritus,Vene Sancta Spirita,
We three sat expectantly as Sophia Love came gently
To our midst saying softly
Here I Am, are you ready?
And each one rose and said herYes and Amen seven fold.
And the women priests proclaimedThe word with joy and strength,
And our gentle deep womanBishop who had taken the time
And care to know each one of us
And call us in the depth of Our souls, stepped forth andTaught, and blessed and ordained.
All women and men present,All beloved and loving,
Placed their hands upon Our heads in sacred silence.
And tears rolled down our faces
As the empty places were filled
With such love and we saw those Who had gone before get in line
And bless us like the rest,And if we ever doubted the Real presence in the bread and wine,
We never will again.
We, women, are the body of Christ,
And the presence of Jesus in a Broken world,
We, the renewed church
And the servants called womenpriestsAnd deacons hold the Christ light high
And walk the path that Jesus walked,
With Godde’s precious people
,Dancing and swaying and sometimes
Playing a tambourine with multicoloredRibbons in double time syncopation
And joy! Amen, Amen
