Linda Wilcox

Seeing a woman behind the altar for the first time sparked a moment of undeniable clarity for Linda Wilcox, turning a quiet longing into an irresistible calling. Discover the story of how leaning into trust and transformation allowed Linda to accept her true vocation and bring the feminine face of God to her community.

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In 2005 my life changed forever. I was present at a Eucharist at which a woman priest from the Old Catholic Rite officiated. This was my “aha” moment. I was stunned and delighted at the same time—someone who looked like me was behind the altar and saying the words of institution! I couldn’t get this image out of my mind. It finally occurred to me that this was something that I could do—something I desired at the core of my being.

In his book Let your Life Speak, Parker Palmer describes perfectly what my feelings were: “Vocation at its deepest level is knowing that ‘This is something that I can’t not do, for reasons I’m unable to explain to anyone else and don’t fully understand myself, but is nonetheless compelling.’”

Priesthood for me was akin to a dog with a bone—it would not let go of me. Maybe this was similar to what Mary felt when the angel told her she was to be the mother of the Messiah. I came to accept that if I wanted to be my most authentic self and live into my true nature, I would have to submit my will to this calling. Submission for me was the only way out—not a grudging submission, but one filled with trust and openness to transformation.

I talked at length with my spiritual director about the antagonism I was feeling to the “call.” In time I was finally able to embrace it as a “gift” I had been given—nothing that I had done or asked for. It chose me, and I chose to accept this gift with gratitude and proclaim, “I am willing.” I was ordained a Roman Catholic Womanpriest in August 2009.

I continue to be grateful for the call and the opportunity to show the feminine face of God to the People of God.