Join us as we explore feminine spirituality and its expression as spiritual maternity.
The Exploration begins with a reflection on a vision of feminine spirituality that's inspired by the work of Edith Stein, a Carmelite nun, Jewish philosopher, and Holocaust martyr. Stein described her philosophy as spiritual maternity, not only as physical motherhood, but as a nurturing relationship with others—a reverence for and care of the other that transcends purely physical or biological dimensions.
Stein invites us to surpass the limits of gender, aiming to embody the harmony of masculine and feminine virtues by becoming “another Christ” who reflects the fullness of humanity and unites these virtues in Himself.
In the second part of the Exploration, we'll move from reflection to dialogue, using the Community of Philosophical Inquiry method. This is a process of group discussion stimulated by Stein’s writings on the “feminine genius.” Together, we will identify key concepts, craft a philosophical question, and seek deeper understanding of feminine spirituality as a community. This process of knowledge-making will emphasise care, empathy, and openness—qualities often associated with feminine ways of thinking.
Instead of focusing solely on finding definitive answers, we'll prioritise holistic and relational thinking, embracing humility and the willingness to learn from one another.
About the Facilitator
Paula Maher Martin is a doctoral researcher in English at the University of Galway. Her thesis, funded by the Irish Research Council, investigates female development in twentieth-century extra-canonical literature, utilising Edith Stein’s phenomenological anthropology. Her research interests include ideas of femininity, communion, and empathy; international female authorship networks; and the role of reading in community formation. She’s the author of "Care as a Human Ideal: Spiritual Maternity in Edith Stein's Essays On Woman and María Lejárraga's Canción De Cuna”, forthcoming as a chapter in Echoes of Her: Women and Creativity Unbound.
