Spiritual motherhood is a transformative vocation that shapes lives, heals wounds, and brings the light of Christ into the darkest corners of the world. It is a calling that extends beyond biological motherhood, inviting women to nurture, love, and serve others with a maternal heart, no matter their state in life.
As Saint John Paul II writes in Mulieris Dignitatem, every woman—whether married, single, or consecrated—is called to live out this sacred vocation. This calling resonates in the lives of the Saints, whose examples demonstrate the profound, hidden power of spiritual motherhood to change lives and bring Christ’s love to the world in both visible and invisible ways. Their stories reveal that spiritual motherhood is not only a gift but also a source of hope, transformation, and grace.
Women Who Show Us the Power of Spiritual Motherhood
Spiritual motherhood takes many forms. From our Blessed Mother Mary, the ultimate model of spiritual motherhood, to modern-day Saints, women show us how fruitful and powerful this calling can be.
Saint Marianne Cope (1838–1918)
Saint Marianne Cope, a German-American nun of the Sisters of Saint Francis, expressed spiritual motherhood through her life of service to individuals suffering from leprosy. Called to the Hawaiian Islands to care for those exiled to the Kalaupapa leper colony, Saint Marianne's tireless work transformed the lives of these marginalized people. She built hospitals, homes, and schools for the lepers, offering not only physical care, but also the dignity and compassion they had long been denied.
Upon arriving at Kalaupapa, the leper patients were abandoned by society, living in squalid conditions. Saint Marianne tenderly cared for them, offering not just medical attention but affection and companionship. She planted gardens for them and sewed beautiful clothes—small acts that reflected her deep, motherly love. Her service transcended duty, revealing a spiritual motherhood that sees Christ in every person, particularly the suffering and the marginalized. Her life reflects the Scripture: “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). Saint Marianne’s actions embodied love in every gesture, whether she was caring for the sick or offering solace to those society had forgotten.
Saint Edith Stein (1891–1942)
Saint Edith Stein, a Jewish philosopher who converted to Catholicism and became a Carmelite nun, embodied spiritual motherhood through her intellectual pursuits and ultimate martyrdom. After entering the Carmelite Order, she received the name Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Throughout her life, she reflected deeply on the intersection of faith and reason, seeking to understand the human person in light of God’s plan.
Her journey to the concentration camp at Auschwitz revealed the profound depth of her spiritual motherhood. Despite her own suffering, Edith reached out to comfort the other women and children on the train, offering them peace and hope. Unafraid of her impending martyrdom, she poured herself out completely, reflecting Christ’s love in the darkest moments. Her life echoes the Scripture from Hebrews 12:2, which tells us to look “to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Edith’s spiritual motherhood in suffering reflects the transformative power of the Cross, where love and sacrifice lead to redemption.
Servant of God Cora Louise Evans (1904–1957)
Cora Louise Evans was a teacher and community leader in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, dedicated to advocating for the poor and marginalized. She tirelessly educated young people, fostering both academic and spiritual growth. Her life reflected deep love for those she served, particularly the suffering.
Her spiritual motherhood was evident in her commitment to guiding others toward Christ's love. Whether teaching or serving her community, Cora’s maternal care for others—body, mind, and soul—was clear. Her example calls all women to embrace their spiritual vocation, offering love, guidance, and care. Cora’s life echoes the Scripture: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Through her nurturing presence, she embodied Christ’s love to all she encountered.
Saint Mother Teresa (1910–1997)
Mother Teresa is perhaps one of the most recognizable modern examples of spiritual motherhood. As founder of the Missionaries of Charity, she devoted her life to serving the poor, sick, homeless, and dying in Kolkata. To her, every person she encountered was Christ, deserving of love and care.
One day, she found a woman in the street, covered in maggots and filth, abandoned by society. Despite the horror of the situation, Mother Teresa gently cradled the woman, cleaned her wounds, and took her to the Missionaries of Charity home for care. She saw Jesus in every person. Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to spiritual motherhood, seeking to serve and nurture those in greatest need. Her actions echo Christ’s words: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Through her service, she showed how to encounter Christ in the most vulnerable and forgotten.
Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber (1911–2000)
Dr. Gertrude A. Barber was a pioneer in the care of children with special needs. She founded the Barber National Institute in Erie, Pennsylvania, which continues to serve children with disabilities to this day. Dr. Barber’s spiritual motherhood was demonstrated in her tireless devotion to these children, whom she loved as if they were her own. She believed deeply in the dignity of every person, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, and worked to provide them with opportunities for growth and development.
Through her work, Dr. Barber exemplified the essence of spiritual motherhood—caring for others as Christ would, and seeing in each child a beloved creation of God. Dr. Barber’s ministry echoes Christ’s words: “Let the little children come to Me, and do not stop them” (Mark 10:14). Her life was a model of selfless love, echoing Christ’s own care for the most vulnerable.
All Women are Called to Spiritual Motherhood
The lives of these women reveal the hidden power of spiritual motherhood—a vocation meant for all women, regardless of their state in life. Whether through intellectual work, compassionate care for the sick, or nurturing children with disabilities, they poured out their lives in profound expressions of maternal love.
These women remind us that all women are called to spiritual motherhood, sharing in Christ's love and sacrifice. Just as Mary embraced her role as the Mother of the Church, these women embraced their calling to love and nurture, becoming spiritual mothers to those in need. Their example shows us that spiritual motherhood is not an abstract concept, but a transformative grace that brings others closer to Christ.
Rose Coleman is an elementary school teacher with a heart for pilgrimage. She traveled the globe on a ship during college and spent some years in the convent as a religious sister. She was a contributing author to All She Had, Blessed Conversations: Rooted, and our children’s devotional prayer book called Rise Up. Find out more about her here.
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