…judges Francis’ idea on the role of women in the Church
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The Blessed Virgin is not chosen by the Lord for the ministry
The Blessed Virgin is not, however, chosen by the Lord for the ministry, but rather to be his partner and associate, according to what is written: ‘Let us make him a helper suited to him’ (Gen 2:18). But, if this is so, she did not need to receive any Orders. For the greatest of the orders of the Church is that of the Pope, who is the Vicar of Christ. But the Most Holy Virgin is not vicaress, but rather aid and companion. She participates in reigning, who participated in the Passion [which her Son suffered] for the whole human race, when alone, all the disciples and ministers having fled, she stood firmly at the foot of the Cross, and received in her heart the wound that Christ received in his body; it was then that the sword pierced her soul. (Saint Albert the Great. Volume 37: Mariale, sive Quaestiones super Evangelium, Missus Est Angelus Gabriel, Etc., q. 42, ad 5 – Jammy, v.20, no.40)
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The Most Holy Virgin is above all orders
The Most Holy Virgin is presently above all the orders of the Angels of the Church Triumphant. Therefore here [on earth] she was above all the orders of the Church militant. (Saint Albert the Great. Volume 37: Mariale, sive Quaestiones super Evangelium, Missus est Angelus etc., q. 42, ad 4 – Jammy, v.20, no.40)
