REMEMBERING TRADITION: WOMEN'S MONASTIC RITUALS AND THE DIACONATE

In 2002 the International Theological Commission wrote that "it pertains to the ministry of discernment which the Lord has established in his Church to pronounce authoritatively" on the question of women deacons. This study discusses the ways by which ancient and contemporary ceremonies for women demonstrate the tradition of the ordination of women as deacons. It distinguishes between and among monastic profession, consecration of a virgin, and diaconal ordination, addressing in particular the ceremonials of Carthusian nuns.