Dear friend,   

 

Earlier this year, Pope Benedict elevated St. Hildegard to a Doctor of the Church - confirming what feminist Catholics have known for centuries. As we wrap up another successful year at WOC, I thought the Christmas season would be the perfect occasion to honor St. Hildegard by sharing her famous spiced cookie recipe, also known as her calming "nerve cookies." sthvb

 

Of her cookies she said, "Eat them often and they will calm every bitterness of heart and mind - and your hearing and senses will open.  Your mind will be joyous, and your senses purified and harmful humors will diminish." (See recipe below)

 

With their attacks on nuns, girl scouts, and priests who support women's ordination, the church hierarchy struck a nerve with us in 2012. However, thanks to your faithful support, WOC is the most vocal and visible advocacy group for women's equality in the church and our movement is growing.  

 

This Advent season, please consider renewing your commitment to WOC. We have big plans cooking for 2013, and your support will help us keep the momentum going.

 

In the words of Hildegard, "We cannot live in a world that is not our own, in a world that is interpreted for us by others. An interpreted world is not a home. Part of the terror is to take back our own listening, to use our own voice, to see our own light."

 

Together, we will use our own voices and live out our beliefs to create a church that is transparent, accountable, and welcoming to all the people of God.  

 

Erin  

Advent blessings, 

signature 

Erin Saiz Hanna

Executive Director
Donate Now  

Your donation will help fund a variety of programs including: 

 

Campaign to support Fr. Roy, Fr. Bill, and all people sanctioned by church hierarchy for their support of women's ordination.

 

WOC's grassroots efforts in support of women religious in upcoming Nun Justice Project campaigns. 

 

Women's Ordination is a Human Right campaign, which will send WOC staff as delegates to the United Nations this March during the assembly on women.

 

World Day of Prayer for Women's Ordination, held annually on March 25th. 
St. Hildegard's Spiced Cookie Recipe
 

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup honey

1 egg (or use 1 Tbs. flax seed soaked in 3 Tbs. water)

2 cups flour (spelt, whole wheat, or 1/2 cup garbanzo flour + 1 1/2 cups wheat)

1 tbs baking soda

1 tsp dulse or kelp (optional)

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

3/4 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tbs ground fenugreek (optional)

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)

 

Directions

Cream together butter, honey, and egg. In separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients.  Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients. Pour liquid ingredients in well and mix into dry ingredients. Chill in refrigerator to cool, to make it easier to work with (optional).  Form into walnut sized balls. Place on greased and floured cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.