This morning I researched two
books written in Latin by Albertus Magnus c. 1193-1280. Liber
de muliere forti venerabilis domini and De
secretis mulierum et vivorum. In the
first book Albertus Magnus praises valiant and strong women like the one described
in Proverbs 31. He discusses
predestination and argues that more are bound by Scripture to be judged worthy
of resurrection than to be rejected. He answers
questions about the dispensation of graces, concluding that valiant women will
receive abundant graces, whether they are married or in the virginal state, both
those who have children and those who are childless. The second book outlines
the facts of life for monks and celibate priests who lack the experience
requisite for understanding “the secrets of women and life.” By doing so, the author attempts to correct
erroneous ideas about the defilement of menstruation and childbirth that led the
celibate clergy to prohibit women from entering the sanctuary, and therefore
from being ordained. He cautions monks against
being led astray by the wiles and charms of women, but says nothing to warn about the equally dangerous potential of women being led astray by the wiles and charms of men. The image above is from the title page inside
the book De secretis mulierum.
