The Virtuous Woman

Catholic women, filled with the Holy Spirit, often find themselves disappointed with their lives. They have a great zeal and love for God, but feel incomplete and unfulfilled, constantly figuring their purpose in life. They look up to great saints like Joan of Arc, Mother Theresa, Claire of Assisi and the women doctors of the church and sigh, knowing they will never match up to any such great women.

The women saints are extraordinary in their ways; however, the bible gives us the definition of a virtuous women depicted in the ordinary wife, mother, and entrepreneur. She is not a popular saint, but a saint, nevertheless. She is amongst those saints that are not canonised. She is perhaps a living saint who may be someone’s grandmother, mother, sister, wife, daughter, teacher, or a friend. She goes unnoticed by many but noticed by God well enough to mention her in the bible. She is a virtuous woman in God’s eyes and a role model for all women.

Proverbs 31 makes many women feel incompetent when they compare the perfection of this virtuous woman. Many wonder, is she for real? She certainly is real; she is virtuous not because she does things perfectly. One can program a robot to do things perfectly. Does that make it virtuous? Many women are perfect in doing things but are mean, bitter, and unloving. Accomplishing things and doing the chores does not make a women virtuous. The virtuous woman is the one that is filled with the Holy Spirit, she is filled with virtue and grace. She bears the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Her strength is drawn not from within herself but from God. Proverbs 31 describes her as noble, trustworthy, good, virtuous, hardworking, diligent, wise, generous, faithful, courageous, elegant, considerate, pious, joyful, honoured, and blessed.

She is the perfect woman because she knows her vocation and finds her purpose in God and does the ordinary, mundane, insignificant tasks, with great zeal. She is loving, self-giving, and kind. She is a woman after God’s own heart. She is the woman God is calling you to be.

God is not looking for another Joan of Arc or Mother Theresa. He wants you to be the ordinary wife, mother, and a saint, he has destined you to be.

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.