Flourishing women — that is, women striving every day to live their authentic capacity for motherhood — transform families, workplaces, cities and the world.

As anyone who spends time on social media knows, women are constantly barraged with opportunities to compare themselves and detract from others, and specifically from themselves, causing them, among other things, to doubt their self-worth.

There is something in the compassionate, life-giving part of women that is easily targeted in the gossip and comparison game.  

 An authentically Catholic vision of wellness highlights the need for all people to understand their inherent goodness — that they are beautifully and intentionally made by a loving Father. Women, in particular, reflect this truth through the gift of their femininity. Yet so many people, and so many mothers specifically, fall into the trap of thinking we must earn our dignity through likes on a Facebook post, or the number of Instagram reels we create highlighting our “liturgical living” wins. 

This Mother’s Day, let us highlight how we support mothers on their path of flourishing — for when women flourish, life is fostered! 

Pope St. John Paul II, in his Letter to Women, wrote: “Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world's understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic.”

Every woman bears within her the imprint of this life-giving capacity — not always physically, but always spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. This is the capacity of the feminine heart — to nurture and accompany. 

 In the Church, we have seen this response beautifully displayed through the unique witness of many of our female saints. St. Gianna Molla, St. Rita, and St. Zélie Martin each taught their children the importance of living the Gospel and seeking a relationship with Christ. In courageous ways, they gave their lives so that their children would seek the freedom and love only Christ can give. 

Similarly, we see the impact that the spiritual motherhood of St. Catherine of Siena, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Maria Goretti and others had on the lives of those who knew them and for us who seek their intercession. These women, while not biological mothers, have nurtured others by living the flourishing they were made for. Their profound impact, along with countless other female saints, points to the generative power of women who are living out their vocation as mothers.

When we talk about the flourishing of mothers, we would be remiss if we did not mention that all women have the capacity to bring life through their flourishing. This capacity to love and bring life is often met with struggle, pain, and feelings of doubt. I see this every day in the women I’m blessed to walk alongside through Catholic Wellness Coaching — mothers with incredible stories, remarkable courage and strength, and deep conviction. Many are navigating grief, burnout, hidden wounds, anxiety, depression or unanswered prayers. The lies of our world can be strong, but we are an Easter people!

When these women begin to flourish — when they reclaim the truth of who they are and that they are called to the Blessed Life — they start to radiate a powerful, life-giving motherhood. As St. Catherine of Siena once said, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire." This is the feminine genius; this is the joy and hope women can bring into our world.

Every day, I am surrounded by women with stories. Women who courageously bring life to others and their families, including the literal birthing of a newborn child (which as we all know is no small feat). As the Scripture reminds us, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). What is the best way Satan can attack a woman? By attacking her ability to be life-giving to others. We are filled with judgment, self-doubt and fear. We see parts of society seeking to convince vulnerable women that the life within them is an unbearable burden and true freedom means destroying that life. 

So this Mother’s Day, let us be reminded of the power of flourishing even amid adversity. In the litany that follows, I don’t speak for these groups of women; rather I take cues from Pope St. John Paul II and seek to highlight the life they bring to all mothers and to the Body of Christ through their witness.  

Thank you, women who have struggled with infertility. Mother’s Day can be a particularly painful day for you, who desire to give of yourselves and care for a new life. Your suffering is often quiet and unacknowledged while seeing countless women celebrated on this day. As women, we know this is not an isolated pain, but something we are reminded of again and again from a mental, biological, and spiritual level. Thank you, to all women who have carried this unimaginable burden, whether for a time or indefinitely. You are an incredible witness to us and to our world of the great gift it is to bring new life into the world.

Thank you, single women who are desirous of and awaiting marriage; you are a tremendous gift. The cross you are called to embrace is unique and often forgotten. The ways in which you are able to give of yourselves to others – i.e., your family, your community, your friends’ children, those you mentor, and others — should not be forgotten. Yet, this cross can be especially painful on Mother’s Day. Thank you for the witness you provide to the sanctity and goodness of the sacrament of marriage to a world that often forgets its value. 

Thank you, all mothers, struggling with anxiety and depression. It can be easy to condemn yourself for having these feelings. The comparison game can be especially challenging when you see what other mothers are “doing,” and judge your own journey as “not enough.” Continuing to show up and love amidst the feelings of self-doubt is a powerful witness to your family and to all of us. Even when it feels like no one notices, we benefit from your love amidst your struggles and difficulties.  

Thank you, mothers who now have an emptier home. You whose schedules were busy with practices, school drop-offs, and packing lunches, which are now limited to your own appointments and events. It might be tempting to wonder about your own worth outside of taking care of the immediate needs of your family. You are needed, you are loved, and the witness you give all of us through your love as well as through your reminiscing helps young mothers to cherish the exhausting but beautiful season they are in. 

Thank you, foster mothers. Through your yes to welcoming these children into your home, you have done just that: provided them a shelter and a safe place in this world of the unknown. You are personifying the gift of motherhood even for what might be a short while. The surrender of yourself and your heart to give life to another is the definition of the power of a flourishing mother. 

Thank you, mothers in the classroom and medical field. Your patience, compassion, and care for your ‘children’ is a great gift. Many students or patients are so isolated, feeling anxious and alone. Your capacity to see them, to see and respond to their need in a way that only a mother can, transforms their lives and transforms our world. To understand that we are not alone and to be seen by another is powerful. Even when this task seems tireless and thankless at times, we are grateful and our world is grateful for the light you bring. 

Thank you, religious women. In your joyful living out of your vocation, you show us the way we are all called to be loved! Your surrender to the things of this world for the sake of deeper intimacy with Christ provides witness to us of what we are made for. The life that you are inspiring us to seek is eternal, and for that, we are so grateful. You are mothers to all of us! You help us to see the gift of the messiness of our family life, and the intimacy the Lord desires to have with us even amidst this. 

Thank you, working mothers. You who struggle with balancing your professional and home life. Through your sacrifice, feeling the tension of not giving enough to both your family and your work, you display to others the gift women play in both the workplace and home. While you might not see it, others in your life benefit from your witness learning the tremendous value of a mother’s impact on forming and loving her children and the gift of a mother’s presence in workplace culture. 

Thank you, mothers whose hearts are in constant prayer for their estranged children. Like St. Monica, you show all of us the profound power of a mother's prayer as well as the serious spiritual power a mother is called to witness. It might seem hopeless at times, but your prayers bring life to both your wayward child as well as to all the women who see your profound love and the ways you continue to provide for the needs of your child from afar. 

When women are supported in their capacity to be life-giving, our world is transformed. Let us look at the women around us, the women we pray alongside at Mass, the women we see at the store, the women we might be tempted to judge or criticize not knowing their circumstances, and let us encourage each other to “set the world ablaze.” 

To all mothers, whether biological or spiritual, thank you!