The Paradox of Latina Religious Leadership in the Catholic Church : Las Guadalupanas of Kansas City

"The Paradox of Latina Religious Leadership in the Catholic Church explores how the Guadalupanas, a religious organization of Mexican American women, prevented the closing of their church in Kansas City, Missouri. The book's research reveals the way that religion and social action is both empowering and limiting for women. This study shows the Guadalupanas' awareness of themselves as agents for change and their difficulties in understanding and maintaining their limited gendered roles within church and community. The project offers serious research on religious, cultural, and gender identities, organizing at the grassroots level, and the impact of organizing on the grassroots level an urban community"--Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-25 The Kansas City Westside: Home of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe....Pages 27-53 The History of the Kansas City Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe....Pages 55-70 Las Guadalupan as Speak....Pages 71-92 “Guadalupe Speaks to Me”: Interpreting Las Guadalupanas’ Voices....Pages 93-104 Practicing Belief: The Activities and Rituals of Las Guadalupanas....Pages 105-131 The Borer Crossg Virgin and Her Daughters: Understanding the Vision and Transgressing New Territories....Pages 133-160 Back Matter....Pages 161-202