WOMEN AND SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION.

New Zealand Tablet, 19 February 1920, Page 45

WOMEN AND SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION.

During tho past months many disquieting rumors have been abroad from tho schools of science, telling and foretelling of phenomenal disturbances in the order of our solar systems —eruptions and disruptions in the sun's action and composition, etc.. It is not my intention to discuss tho accuracy of the professors in such matters, nor even to comment on the abnormal "sunspot" weather we have been experiencing. Rather let us pass on to a point in evolutionary theories of more interest to the cause of religion—social destruction. Scientists teach that the integrity and order of our own little solar system depend, even in phases, of transition, upon the balance maintained by the fidelity of each planet to its own particular orbit (or sphere) of motion, and the subservience of all to the sun's attraction or government. Hence, the moon, our earth's faithful companion and attendant, has but to desert her post for a wider sphere of action, when chaos and destruction to the entire solar system would result. But the planets, which through long centuries have so faithfully obeyed the Divine laws of creation, continue steadily on their way, undisturbed by the universal anarchy and disorder which to-day pervade human society, intent only on fulfilling their destiny in the scheme of God's providence. It is only man, with his glorious privileges of intellect and free-will, who dares to raise the cry, "Non Servktm," and substitute self-will for duty and God's law. Now, to apply these facts of inanimate creation to a very important factor in the construction and destruction of human society—woman. What the moon is to the earth, so (in the human order) was woman intended to be in her relations to man, to the home, and to society. A hidden power in the glare of life; a light, clear and steady, in the night of sin and sorrow. Freed (for the most part) from the sordid and heavier cares of business or public life, hers is a moral force of great practical effect for good or evil on the spiritual and social lives of men and nations. Duty and self-sacrifice in the home life, are the foundation of her far-reaching (though hidden) power. Supernatural, faith, her light and strength, by which she illumines and overcomes society's moral darkness.

Hence, as the moon so faithfully reflects the light of the sun upon a darkened earth, so woman, by her fidelity to duty and grace, should shed around her the reflected light of God's holiness and love. How has woman fulfilled the Divine ordinance of her existence? The divorce courts offer a tragic answerselfish, soulless women ; men without faith or chivalry; childless homes or ill-bred children. Meanwhile civilisation is drifting on to refined savagery. O Catholic women, we are but a few, yet we outnumber the Twelve Apostles who established Christianity in a pagan world. Let us labor in these recrudescent pagan times to restore those Christian ideals of womanhood which alone can save and rebuild society. A new era dawns; the Star of Bethlehem has arisen; let us join the wise kings and follow its light until we come to the home of Nazareth, where, at the feet of Jesus and Mary, we will find the inspiration for the work that lies before us. —A.T.R., Auxiliaries S.V.P., Wellington.