The maternal character of a woman ' s nature is not limited to women who have born children . Every woman has the call to nurture written into her soul . Alice von Hildebrand affirms this calling saying , “ the very soul of the woman is meant to be maternal .” 62 Mary is the model that has , as Alice von Hildebrand states ,
revealed to the weak sex the greatness and sublimity of femininity . Mary has exalted the status of women in a unique fashion , and the fact that they had no power in the Church is once again a sign of God ' s special love for the weak sex . It is safer to obey than to command , and the only one truly worthy to be a leader is not only
Alice von Hildebrand the one who has learned to obey , but the one who much prefers to do so , and only reluctantly - under the cross - accepts to give orders . This is a truth that has been constantly repeated by the Church . 63
Alice von Hildebrand recalls , “ the greatest victory was achieved at Calvary at the very moment of what
seemed to be the ultimate defeat , the death of the One who was obedient unto death .… This is the victory of the supernatural .” 64
Alice Von Hildebrand wrote , “ Women , to whom are confided the mystery of life , are essentially called upon to be mothers , whether they are sterile and whether they have been blessed with children of their own flesh . Many women have received the privilege to be the mothers of priests .” 65 Not only are their physical mothers responsible for these men , but also women who with their spiritual encouragement and prayers contribute to their vocations . Women bear the priests who will sacramentally bring the Eucharistic life of the Church .
Mary exemplifies the fecundity of a woman who is humbly receptive to the wisdom in God .
62
Ibid ., 96 .
63
Ibid ., 106 .
64
Ibid .
65
Alice von Hildebrand , Man and Woman : A Divine Invention ( Ave Maria , FL : Sapientia Press , 2010 ), 175 .
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