VIRTUE IN WOMEN

"The first fundamental virtue of the Christian woman is piety; but an educated, solid, and exemplary piety.

Her piety must be educated by an exact and reasoned knowledge of Christian doctrine. She needs, above all, a clear knowledge of our religion, to be prepared to solidly instruct, whether at home or outside of it, all those who vegetate in ignorance. Happy are the children who, from the earliest age, have learned the rudiments of the faith from the pious lips of their good mother or virtuous sister!

Religious knowledge must be elevated to the level of scientific knowledge: that is, they must understand the foundations of certainty on which the truths of our holy faith rest.

This reasoned knowledge of our holy faith is, especially in our days, indispensable for the Christian woman; because in our century of unbelief, she must be prepared and must prepare those who are  his own defenses against the pestilent contagion of skepticism; and it must also, many times, confound the ignorance of the wicked.

Their piety must be not only instructed, but also solid; and it will be so if it is based on the unshakeable convictions of faith, and on a will firmly resolved to serve God above all things. From this solid piety, well grounded on the convictions of the intellect and the firmness of the will, there spontaneously springs constancy in the well-regulated practice of devotion; the exercises of which will never be omitted, even if they cost some sacrifice.

Finally, piety must be exemplary; that is, it must be accompanied by good example, by the practice of Christian virtues, especially those born of charity, such as gentleness and affability in dealings, which make piety lovable.  ✨ Fr. Francisco J. Schouppe, S.J.

📖 The Christian Woman: Her Mission, Her Formation, and Her Defense.