I read with interest an article on Maddalena
Panattieri, who is one of the rare woman
preachers remembered in Italian spiritual
history. Born in 1443, she became a Dominican
tertiary (someone connected with the
Dominican order as a lay person, but not
as a nun or priest).
She loved to teach children about the Lord,
but she was so interesting that the
children's mothers also came to hear.
Then came the fathers, and then the clergy!
Her teaching soon became preaching! She
would often speak against the practice
of charging interest on loans. No doubt
she was and is the "patron enemy" of bankers.
Whether this is apocryphal or not, she was
often allegedly "translated" to the Holy Land
where she would describe the sites with accurate
detail. What a way to travel!
As for her preaching, one day when she
offended a man by her preaching, he slapped
her. Falling to her knees she said,
"Brother, here is the other cheek, I give
it to you in the love of Christ."
What an inspiring moment from church
history. May we all offer our cheeks
to the smiters so readily, and our
hearts so completely to Jesus.
You have heard it said, "An eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I
say to you, offer no resistance to one who
is evil. When someone strikes you on the
right cheek, turn the other one to him as
well." (Matthew 5:38,39).
Maddalena Panattieri
women preachers
women in ministry
Italian history
turn the other cheek
Matthew 5:38-39
saints
church history
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