Saint Gorgonia

Gorgonia died in 372.  She was a wife, mother and grandmother.  She became a recognized saint in the church.  She did not found a religious order, open schools for the poor, or orphanages for the abandoned children.  She was a kind, merciful, and helpful woman to people in need.  I know many a woman who is just like Gorgonia, but they won't be made saints for it.  When she was very ill, she went to church touched the host, and was healed.  Why no Gorgonias today?  Virginity and original sin.  They both became fashionable after Gorgonia's death.  The Desert Monks, who were coming into fashion at that time, were celebates.  No marriage for them.  Monastic life was beginning to get a toehold in the church as the way to perfection.  No marriage there either.  Mary was seen as one who gave birth as a Virgin free from original sin.  Virginity became the model to perfection. Even legitimate sex was problematic as a way to perfection and sainthood.  In time, the cleric, who was celibate was seen as better than the lay person.  This is clericalism.  But many of us know better as we have witnessed  the dying of a mother or grandmother, and known them to be saints.  The laity know best.  Some of my readers, mothers and grandmothers are on the way to sainthood.  You are all gifts to those in need of unconditional love.