The pure image of feminine nature stands before our eyes in the Immaculata, the Virgin. She was the perfect temple, in which the Holy Spirit took up his dwelling and deposited as his gift the fullness of grace.
- As Mother of God and mother of all God’s children, she is exalted above all creatures on the throne of glory; maternity itself is glorified through her.
- As Virgin, she manifests an incomparable beauty pleasing to God, along with the fruitfulness of virginal purity.
- As Queen, she evidences the conquering power of a serving love and of purity intact.
Every woman who wants to fulfill her destiny must look to Mary as ideal.
Saint Edith Stein
Spirituality of the Christian Woman (excerpt)
Lectures to the Organization of Catholic Women, Zurich (1932)
Stein, E 2017, Essays On Woman, The Collected Works of Edith Stein, Book 2, translated from the German by Oben, F, ICS Publications, Washington D.C.
Featured image: The Maringhi Coronation of the Virgin is a painting that was commissioned by the Church of Saint Ambrose after the death of benefactor Francesco Maringhi. Filippo Lippi, O.Carm. was commissioned to create a new painting at the high altar of the church. Fra Filippo, along with his studio assistants completed the tempera on panel artwork in 1447. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).
Carmelite Quotes 
Leave a Reply