Section 4 | Rule 2: Regarding the Exaltation of the Custos’ Wife as Queen of His Domestic Church

Let the Custos understand that he is to honor his wife as his queen, striving always to become more aware of her interior beauty, her dignity, her holiness, and to foster her progress toward union with God. St. Thomas Aquinas applies the axiom of the philosopher “What is first in the order of intention is last in the order of execution” (Summa Theologiae, I-II, Q 25) to Eve, who comes last in the created order, which indicates that woman is the pinnacle of God’s intention. All of creation is ordered toward woman’s life bearing gift. Mary, both Queen of heaven and earth, the Mother of the Son of God, is rightly hailed as the New Eve, the fulfillment of Eve. Therefore she, as the fulfillment of Eve is truly primary in God’s intention as the God-bearer (theotokos) and all of creation is ordered toward her and the fruit of her womb, Jesus.

As Christ shares the authority and power of His kingship with Mary his Queen because of her motherhood and because of her union with Him in His passion and death (bride in suffering), so let also the husband share his power and authority with his wife. The greater honor rendered to the Queen, Mary, the greater honor rendered to Christ the King. As the Church, the Bride of Christ is glorified by Christ, so Christ in His Church is glorified. Therefore, if a husband’s wife is exalted by her husband, so also the husband will be exalted.

Devin Schadt | Executive Director of the Fathers of St. Joseph

Ite ad Joseph