Description

Manakaruth Spirituality of Fisherwomen

This book describes the social context of Asian women’s theology, focusing primarily on women’s reaction to patriarchal values in society, church, and family. According to author, the women in Asia have discovered their true selves and have become stronger through their participation in different kinds of women’s movements for equal rights as human beings. Their trust in Mother God enables them to trust in themselves and to hope even in the midst of their helplessness. This evokes a different kind of power. Another point we notice is the interpretation of the new images of Jesus and Mary based on Asian women’s experiences of survival and liberation.

In order to explore the Asian women’s theology and spirituality, author gathers women’s stories of victimization and liberation that leads to critical social analysis. The social analysis includes political, economic and religio-cultural analysis and it gives one a chance to see with clarity the whole picture of complex interconnections in the evil structure. With relevant questions and new awareness coming from critical social analysis she moves on to theological reflection.

Sr. Theramma Prayikalam is a member of Medical Mission Sisters founded by mother Anna Dengel who had laid the important ground work for the Sisters to explore more fully what it means to be a healing presence among people in need. Sr. Theramma worked with the fisherpeople in Kerala for three decades living among them (1975-2004) in a coastal village of Kerala fighting for their rights. With that experiences she went to Philippines explored the spirituality of the fisherwomen in Kerala as their Manakaruth (the power within) and took Masters in Feminist Spirituality in 2007.

Contents

PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
FOREWORD
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION.
Significance of the Study..
Objectives of the study.
Statement of the Problem.
Methodology of the study.
Synthesis and Analysis.
Clarification of terms and concepts
(i)Spiritualit y.
(ii) Faith-Images
(iii) Feminism
CHAPTER 2
SOCIO-HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS OF THE FISHERWOMEN IN KERALA AND THEIR
STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE
General Background of the Fisherpeople in India
Globalization and its Impact on the Fisherpeople / Fishervvomen in Kerala
State Level Organization: Kerala State Independent
Fisherpeople’s Federation (KSMTF)
National Organization: National
Fishworkers Forum(NFF)
International Organization: World Forum of
Fisherpeople (WFFP)
Alternative Development Strategies and Politics
General Background of Anjuthengu
Socio -Economic Situation of the Fisherpeople in
Anjuthengu.
Political Situation of Anjuthengu
Women’s Participation in NFF (National Level)
Women’s Participation in KSMTF (Regional Level).
Women’s Participation at Local Level in Anjuthengu.
CHAPTER 3.
THE WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN INDIA.
The Indian Context.
The vow of Obedience.
The life in community
Preferential option for the poor
Signs of Hope
The Medical Mission Sisters: An Overview.
Radical Changes in the MMS.
Medical Mission Sisters in Anjuthengu / Kerala.
CHAPTER 4
FEMINIST SPIRITUALITY.
Christian Spirituality .
Liberation Spirituality
Feminist Spirituality..
Feminist Spirituality in the context of India
Spirituality of the working class women.
Spirituality of the women in the Old Testament
Jesus and Women .
Mary’s Magnificat..
Discipleship of Equals .
Jesus liberated women from social taboos and customs ..136
Women in the Early Church.
The Leadership of Women.
Women Martyrs.
New women Communities.
CHAPTER 5
CORE ASPECTS OF THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE
FISHERWOMEN .
Introduction ..
Religious and Cultural Milieu.
Socio-Political Realities.
The Church in India.
Women in India
The Meaning and Relevance of Religious Life in the Church
Women Religious in India- An Overview.
The Situation of the Women Religious in India
Prophetic Call of the Women Religious in the
Context of India.
Main characteristics of Religious Life.
The vow of Poverty.
The vow of Chastity.
1. Suffering and Hope
2. Awareness and Consciousness
3. Growth and Development
4. Social Commitment and Struggle
The Indian component of Asian Women’s Spirituality .. 182 CHAPTER 6
CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE MANAKARUTH SPIRITUALITY FOR THE WOMEN
RELIGIOUS IN INDIA .
Witnessing Presence Rooted in God, in Christ.
Rooted in the Spirit of Founders.
New Realizations on witnessing.
Rooted in the Realities of Life…
Rooted in the Culture.
CHAPTER 7
THE WAY FORWARD WITH NEW HOPES
Rooted in the Spirit of Founders
Recommendations to the Women Religious in India.
Our Ministries..
Simple life-style / Eco-friendly life
Aging gracefully
Women / Gender Perspective..
Government and Leadership.
APPENDIX -I 8
Life-story Narrations …