Honoring St. Phoebe – Basilica Liturgies

Honoring St. Phoebe

On the weekend following St. Phoebe’s feast day, we will honor this early Church leader. At his request, St. Phoebe carried Paul’s Letter to the Romans on a 700-mile journey from Corinth to Rome, where she proclaimed it to the Christian community.

As we celebrate her witness, we will also pray for her intercession in embracing the call of the Church today. The Synod on Synodality’s final document (paragraph 60) reminds us: “There is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church: what comes from the Holy Spirit cannot be stopped. Additionally, the question of women’s access to diaconal ministry remains open. This discernment needs to continue.”

In response, The Basilica will welcome a woman to offer a reflection on the Scriptures at all Masses on September 6 and 7. We will join with parishes throughout the Archdiocese and around the world in listening with special attentiveness to the voices of women in the Church.