 |
Words Made Flesh: An Anthology of Writings
|
Description
Even Patricia Lynn Reilly’s most devoted readers will be surprised by the intimacy of the selections in Words Made Flesh, the first anthology of her writings. Here, Patricia’s poetry and prose give voice to the personal story beneath her public persona as feminist theologian and inspirational speaker. Sensual, comedic, poignant, evocative, Words Made Flesh is a celebration of the creativity and resilience of the human spirit.
Originality, creativity, and resilience have been the hallmarks of Patricia’s fifteen year ministry. Born of the gift and challenge of her unique childhood, these qualities infuse her writing and inspire and support others to embrace life with gratitude. The first twelve years of Patricia’s life were spent in violent alcoholic homes, the Edna B. Conklin Children’s Shelter, and St. Joseph’s Village, an institution for dependent children. Underneath Patricia’s words as theologian, iconoclast, lecturer, and author, this private story pulsates. There she is,
• the abandoned girl, longing for her mother, heard in the reworked prayers of the feminist theologian: “Our Mother, who art within us;” (p. 131)
• the fearful girl, befriending the darkness of solitary confinement, heard in the priestess’ tribute to Mother Darkness; (p. 143)
• the fierce adolescent, wrestling for her place as world-changer among the boys, heard in the iconoclast’s challenge: “God the father has remained an undisturbed idol for too long;” (p. 117)
• the troubled young woman, struggling to reclaim her body, heard in the words of the WomanChurch minister: “It is right and good that you are woman.” (p. 123)
• the gifted adult, who chose to walk through her past and heal into the present, supporting sexual assault survivors to tell their stories and reminding religious communities of the experiences of women absent from their sacred texts and theological tomes. (p. 27)