Pope John Paul II on the beauty of spiritual motherhood

While many women experience the joy of physical motherhood, either through pregnancy or adoption, not all have the opportunity. In fact, many married women struggle with the inability to have children of their own; other women may desire to become mothers but have not yet discovered their vocations.

This does not mean they cannot become mothers in other ways, however.

St. John Paul II wrote about a spiritual motherhood in his apostolic letter, Mulieris Dignitatem, that encompasses women who are married, single, or religious. All women can participate in this type of motherhood, no matter their vocation or station in life.

In his letter, the pope says:

“Spiritual motherhood takes on many different forms. In the life of consecrated women, for example, who live according to the charism and the rules of the various apostolic Institutes, it can express itself as concern for people, especially the most needy: the sick, the handicapped, the abandoned, orphans, the elderly, children, young people, the imprisoned, and, in general, people on the edges of society. In this way a consecrated woman finds her Spouse, different and the same in each and every person, according to his very words: ‘As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me’ (Mt 25:40). Spousal love always involves a special readiness to be poured out for the sake of those who come within one’s range of activity. In marriage, this readiness, even though open to all, consists mainly in the love that parents give to their children. In virginity, this readiness is open to all people, who are embraced by the love of Christ the Spouse.”

This type of motherhood does not only exist for religious women, but also for those who are single or married. Outside of physical motherhood, a woman can express her motherhood in this concern for “people on the edges of society.”

Mary as the model of motherhood

Above all, John Paul II notes, a woman should look to the Virgin Mary for the supreme example of spiritual motherhood.

“Mary is the ‘figure’ of the Church: ‘For in the mystery of the Church, herself rightly called mother and virgin, the Blessed Virgin came first as an eminent and singular exemplar of both virginity and motherhood … The Son whom she brought forth is He whom God placed as the first-born among many brethren’ (cf. Rom 8: 29), namely, among the faithful. In their birth and development, she cooperates with a maternal love.”

As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, it is good to remember that motherhood is, in a certain sense, a vocation open to all women, though it will be expressed in different forms. It is a beautiful calling to care for others and is a specific way women can live out the Gospel in their everyday lives.

This article was written by Philip Kosloski for Aleteia.