Holy Women's History Month: The Samaritan Woman at the Well

As a child (well, who am I kidding? This still happens), I cringed when we would read the parable of the Prodigal Son. It used to make me so irritated because what does a BOY have to do with me, a GIRL? I remember feeling stubborn angst towards this parable because the man had sons, and I was a daughter. I’d roll my eyes (still do) and listen in without really caring.

You see, I understand this parable, even more so as an adult; however, it has just never resonated with me. As a girl child, I wanted to have my femininity seen by Jesus, just as so many boys saw themselves as the prodigal son.  

Side note: I do now understand this parable a bit more and actually identify as the eldest son most days.  

Prefer to Listen—Audio version available!

Adult Happiness 

It was not until I came home to the Catholic Church that I was told the full story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well. I had heard this Gospel story several times, but I don’t remember anyone ever sharing how much Jesus said to her and her response. So, when this entire Gospel passage was read while I was still in RCIA, I am pretty sure I openly wept right there in the pew.  

Then shortly after that Sunday, The Chosen released an episode that tells this story, and I wept again. This story in its entirety, with Jesus and this woman, was what my soul had been seeking for a very long time. My tears were ones of joy and finally feeling that as a woman, Jesus also sees me in all of my brokenness and still wants me to shout His truth from the rooftops.  

In the Orthodox Church tradition, the Samaritan Woman at the Well is known as Saint Photina. I am so glad she is part of my saint squad. I now have this gospel story as my own personal prodigal son story. Jesus purposely seeks out Saint Photina by going to the well in a place where He wouldn’t have been welcome, and neither was she. Jesus saw Saint Photina in all of her brokenness and allowed her to truly see Him. When she opened up her heart to Jesus, she ran to let everyone else know who she had just met.   

Her Story and Mine are Mirrors 

I have more in common with Saint Photina than I’d like to admit or that I would like to write down for the entire world to know. Basically, I had fallen away from the faith when I went to college, made a lot of personal and moral mistakes, and then spent almost 10 years believing that God could never truly love me again. And because God could never truly love me again, to me, that meant that I was excused from sharing the Gospel with others. Who would want to hear about how much Jesus loves them from a person who did not think they were worthy of Jesus loving them? So, for 10 years, I still went to church, still sinned, and would just be in a perpetual cycle of church, sin, church, sin, and wondering why I could never love myself.  

When Jesus talks with Saint Photina, He doesn’t point out her faults first. He tells her about the Living Water He can provide. She knows her shame when she responds and yet little by little her heart softens. When she understands the full glory of who is right in front of her, her heart is fully open, and she runs to tell others.  

Just like Saint Photina, my heart had to soften. It wasn’t until I had my first child that I realized that Jesus loves me, even with my brokenness. I could no longer carry my shame and regret and carry His immense love together. I had to let one go, and I chose to cling to Jesus. Jesus sought me out, just as He did with Saint Photina, and softened my heart so that I could accept all of His love.  

Spreading His Gospel  

Now that I know the full story from this gospel and how after realizing who Jesus is, Saint Photina runs to tell others of Him, I know that this is my mission as well. I need to tell the world about this man who has purposely come into my life, sought to soften my heart and has forgiven me of my sins.

In The Chosen, the Woman at the Well is portrayed as someone who just can’t stop talking about the goodness of Jesus. I love that I have become like that, too. I am seen and loved by Jesus and when I came home to the Catholic Church, I hope there was a mighty celebration in heaven, just like the Father in the Prodigal Son. Except just like Saint Photina, I am my Father’s daughter.  

During Women's History Month, Catholic Mom writers are celebrating the women who have inspired their faith journeys—whether canonized saints, saints in progress, or beloved women from Scripture. Through personal reflections and heartfelt stories, they share how these holy women have touched their lives, offering wisdom, strength, and a deeper connection to God. Join us as we honor the spiritual legacy of these remarkable women and the lasting impact they continue to have on our hearts and souls. 

Copyright 2025 Karen Estep
Images: Holy Cross Family Ministries