Conceptualizing the Virgin Mary

The Roman Catholic Church is facing criticism. Many consider the institution to be too traditional, too male-dominated and too hierarchical. For some time now, Catholic women in the Maria 2.0 movement have been calling for comprehensive reform, especially regarding equality of women in the Church.

The Maria 1.0 initiative stands against this movement under the motto “Mary doesn’t need an update”. It was founded by Catholic women in 2019 in response to Maria 2.0; they advocate a return to traditional values and uphold a conventional view of the Virgin Mary. For instance, its members call for greater emphasis on motherhood and domestic life, and are against opening up the priesthood to women. When Alexandra Probst learned of Maria 1.0 through the media, the initiative’s rejection of the zeitgeist caught her interest.

Googling Maria 1.0 leads to a modern, professionally designed website available in multiple languages. “The initiative has around 4,000 members and is active in both Germany and Switzerland. It is aimed at and run by young women,” says Alexandra Probst. 

When she attended Professor Rafael Walthert’s seminar on discourse, practice and religious studies in spring 2023, she decided to write her term paper on Maria 1.0. She wanted to connect this initiative with the concept of agency examined in the seminar, which contextualizes the actions of individuals within a structured social and religious framework – while also allowing for their capacity to influence and change it.

Specifically, Probst investigated the question of whether and how women who feel connected to the traditional world of the Catholic Church have agency. Her aim was to apply a broadened understanding of independent action within repressive or authoritarian structures and to force open the dichotomy between anti-authoritarian criticism and submissive, affirmative behavior in order to do justice to the nuances between them.

In consultation with Rafael Walthert, she decided to conduct qualitative interviews with two women within the Maria 1.0 initiative to determine what motivates them, how they see themselves as Catholic women and what they consider their role to be in the Roman Catholic Church.

“When Alexandra suggested the topic to me, we realized that there were no publications on the Maria 1.0 initiative,” recalls Rafael Walthert. Alexandra Probst adds, “It took a little courage to pick a topic on which there was not yet any literature. It was a challenge that spurred me on.” Probst carried out pioneering work, Walthert says.

“For me, agency theory was a tool that allowed me to evaluate the statements made during the interviews with the two women,” Probst explains. By coding the conversations, she was able to develop categories such as relationship to the Church, division of roles between men and women, and regulating everyday life. Probst found that both women wish to initiate change, even though they follow a traditional system. 

“Both are deeply religious, and this core belief gives them the strength and legitimacy to call for change,” observes Probst. Although they live their lives according to certain codes and practices, they also express criticism, especially of the current episcopal interpretation of Church rules. In this way, they contradict the common perception that women who live according to religious tradition are as a rule conformist and obedient in every respect.

Conducting the interviews openly and attempting to understand the world of her interviewees, without identifying with them or passing judgment, took a great deal of self-reflection, says Probst. “I was confronted with a world and convictions that were unfamiliar to me. At the same time, I was fascinated by exploring this profound religiosity.”

Walthert highlights the great achievement of characterizing a subjective world of religious experience into scientific categories. He notes that Probst succeeded brilliantly in applying a subtle interview technique and familiarizing herself with a complex sociological theoretical approach. 

When assessing academic papers, it is important to Walthert that the work is conducted properly, is based upon a well-thought-out theory, and is completed to a standard that would allow it to be published in an academic journal. Walthert meets with students regularly to help them write their papers. “My students are comfortable approaching me as they know me from proseminars, and the modest size of the Faculty of Theology and the Study of Religion ensures a certain familiarity.”

Alexandra Probst now works as an assistant at the Department of Religious Studies and is pleased to be able to pass on her knowledge and experience to students.