Women of Hope: Doctors of the Church
“Anyone who imagines that the words ‘weakness’ and ‘Catholic faith’ belong in the same sentence needs a crash course in history, beginning with this marvelous new book. Terry Polakovic has produced a beautifully written, richly engaging portrait of four powerful Catholic women: Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Hildegard of Bingen. Each was ‘powerful’ in the best and only lasting sense: in their love for God, in their transformative impact on the Church, and in the witness of their sainthood, which invites all of us to conform our lives to the joy of the Gospel. Each of these great Christian women’s lives made a difference. Their lesson for us today is simple: So can ours.” —Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia
“At a time when we are challenged by the world and the Church, this book is a harbor of hope. Polakovic’s deep dive into the lives of these jewels of the Church, Saints Teresa of Ávila, Catherine, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Hildegard, is both edifying and engaging. We see these women’s strengths, weaknesses, abundant trials, but more than anything, their true witness of womanhood that can transform the world when lived as God intends.” —Carrie Gress, author of Theology of Home and The Anti-Mary Exposed
“In 2012, just months before he would step aside as Holy Father, Pope Benedict handed me the very message Terry Polakovic begins her book with: ‘At this moment when the human race is undergoing so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling.’ It was a message to all the women of the world from the Second Vatican Council, and during the year of faith, he thought to reissue it. We have our marching orders, my sisters in Christ, and this book will help us be the kinds of women of hope God has sent before us. These doctors will help us be the Church as field hospital that our wounded, desperate, lonely, angry world needs.” —Kathryn Jean Lopez, senior fellow, National Review Institute & author of A Year with the Mystics: Visionary Wisdom for Daily Living
“Women of Hope is a beautiful exposition of the lives of four women who became saints in the midst of darkness and scandal. Their courage, maternal zeal, and feminine creativity powerfully summon each of us to deeper prayer and radical openness to God's invitations.” —Sr. Bethany Madonna, SV
“I absolutely love this book. It is so engaging and informative that I had a very difficult time putting it down and ended up finishing the whole thing in only three readings. Terry has brought to life these most beloved daughters and doctors of the Church in a captivating and human way. As a devotee of Saint Thérèse, I did not expect to learn new information, but I absolutely did and found myself more drawn to her than ever. I also very much enjoyed learning more about Saints Catherine, Teresa of Ávila, and Hildegard. In a moment of cultural darkness, this book provides such hope, brightness, and direction in shining a light on the lives of these iconic women, and in doing so helping the reader to more fully embrace her unique path to holiness.”—Jeanne F. Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund
From the Back Cover
Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, in her most troubled and turbulent times, God has raised up great saints as beacons of hope in the midst of darkness. Among these great saints, the four women doctors of the Church stand out as models of courage, wisdom, and trust. Their example and teachings remain with us, relevant to the challenges of our own day, urging us on to renewal with unwavering hope.
"Trust shows the way," wrote Saint Hildegard of Bingen. These words set the courageous standard by which she, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, and Thrse of Lisieux lived. They are the watchword for the Church in every age, and especially in our own.
In Women of Hope, Terry Polakovic introduces these amazing women and describes the troubled times in which they lived and persevered. These women remind us that God can work through anyone to bring about his purpose. They prove to us that, as Christians, we can live in confident hope, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Terry Polakovic is the co-founder of Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women), and served as the president of the organization from 2003-2015. Before retiring, she worked in nonprofit leadership for more than 30 years. In 2010, she received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross Award ("For the Church and the Pontiff") from Pope Benedict XVI. In 2011, Terry was recognized as an Outstanding Catholic Leader by the Catholic Leadership Institute. She is the author of Life and Love: Opening Your Heart to God's Design (Our Sunday Visitor, 2018). She lives in Colorado with her husband, Mike.
