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Although, this particular talk is yet to be
published, Hayes has a synopsis of her reflection in another publication
which I cite here.
It is, perhaps, in their reinterpretation of the
role and presence of Mary, the Mother of God, that Black Catholic women can
make the most significant contribution. Too often seen as a docile,
submissive woman, Black Catholic womanists, instead, see a young woman sure
of her God and of her role in God's salvific plan. She is a woman who, in
her song (Luke 1: 46-55), proclaims her allegiance with God and with her
brothers and sisters with whom she lived, as a Jew under Roman oppression, a
poor and marginalized existence similar to the existence of Blacks in the
church for so long. They relate to her by sharing in her experiences as
women who are also oppressed but who continue to bear the burden of faith
and to pass on their faith to generations to come. At a time when women were
supposed to be silent and invisible, when women were considered of little
importance, Mary accepted a singular call from God to stand out as "blessed
among all women." As a young, pregnant, unwed woman who had many difficult
questions to answer within her community, she still had the courage to say a
powerful and prophetic "yes" to God that shattered all of time. She is a
role model, not for passivity, but for strong, righteous, "womanish" women
who spend their lives giving birth to the future. As Black Catholic women,
we challenge our church to recognize the legitimacy of our presence within
it and our calling as baptized in Christ to serve the church as the people
of God…[10]
Hayes suggests that sharing in Mary's
experiences will help a person to have an allegiance with God and God's
people for their liberation. This mission was part of the mission Mary's
received. Our mission includes this dynamic call to liberation of Black
people and all people. Hayes suggests that by praying Mary's song, one gains
strength for the mission to freedom.
A witness can be given which attests to the
statement of Diana Hayes. Several years ago whenever the Joint Conference of
Black Catholic Clergy, Sisters, Brothers and Seminarians, was held visits
were made to freedom sites in such places as Niagara, NY, Memphis, TN,
Windsor, ON, Detroit, MI, Montgomery, AL and Atlanta, GA. At each of these
places our recalling on the ancestors and calling on the blessing of God
were prayerful acts of liberation for us.
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