What is Femininity?

This is a GREAT question!

Modernity would say there is no such thing, would reduce it to a cultural construct, a personal preference, or a superficial personal accident (like a big nose, slim waist, small lips) of an androgynous, neutered individual. It would deny that there is an inner reality, or form, or gestalt, or soul that is femininity.  Indeed, perhaps the most diabolical, disastrous consequence of the 1960's Cultural Revolution was the destruction of the spousal masculine/feminine Mystery. Masculinity, in its fragility, is now a train wreck! Femininity...resilient, fluid, organic, integrated, irrepressible...is in much better shape despite the vicious attacks upon it. It has about it a mysterious immunity, almost an invulnerability: drug addicted and sexually trafficked women often retain a resurgent maternity, dignity, and integrity. We know that our Blessed Mother, by virtue of her Immaculate Conception and Assumption, was preserved free of sin, evil, death, and corruption. It seems that by some marvelous analogy women in general share analogically in this privilege.

As a man who has been well loved, by many tremendous women, and an ardent admirer of women, I  am singularly equipped to address this question, from a masculine perspective.

It is a daunting task: to describe femininity tends to fall into reductive stereotypes (nurturing, compassionate, etc.) that offend; to define it is impossible because it is itself a prime reality (like being, life, love, truth, beauty) which must be intuitively grasped rather than analyzed. Yet if it is real it is intelligible and can be spoken of meaningfully. Let's try!

Femininity is:

-  A mystery...profound, dense, incomprehensible, unapproachable...a distinctive commingling of the Good and the True that incarnates and radiates an indescribable charm, warmth, and splendor.

-  Creation at its apex as Reception...of life, of love, of the other as beloved.

-  Receptivity...openness, sensitivity, welcome, affirmation...of the Other that bears fruit from the Other.

-  A strong gentleness, as Masculinity is a gentle strength.

-  Faces Masculinity, like the right hand faces the left, in a manner that is reciprocal, complementary, asymmetrical, dramatic.

-  A flourishing garden...enclosed, protected, fragrant, fruitful, inviting.

-  Attractive, enchanting, fascinating...as it awakens masculine delight, longing, fascination, tenderness, heroism, sacrifice and reverence.

- Welcoming, into its depths, of all that is worthy, true, noble...as it diffuses, from its depth, loveliness, hope, and joy.

-  An overflowing font...for the sick, sad and dying; for family and friends; for spouse...of serenity, comfort, healing and safety.

-  A fluid movement from filial trust to bridal conjugality to fecund maternity.

-  A dance...fluid, rhythmic, organic, thrilling, vivacious...of all that is within and without.

-  Rest, peace, perfection, immanence, synthesis, integrity...to Masculinity's ambition, combat,     transcendence, analysis, fragmentation.

-  Communion, intimacy, companionship in adventure, journey, mission.

- Partnership, with Masculinity...equality of dignity...but with surpassing integrity, identity, and dignity...even with deference, not to men, but to the higher goods masculinity represents including the fatherhood of God, and the authority of truth, justice and tradition.

- Engagement with competition, combat, achievement, governance, analysis, decisiveness, heroism...but all out a deeper reservoir of peace, rest and perfection.

Words fail! It is for us to gaze in awe, delight, tenderness and veneration. And be inspired in gentle strength, purity of heart, nobility of spirit.