Feast of Our Lady Woman of Valor – May 10


The Feast of Our Lady Woman of Valor is the feast of the Pastoral Center in Tel Aviv that serves migrants and asylum seekers. The feast is celebrated on May 10 or the Saturday closest to this date.

woman of valorThe Woman of Valor is one of the important images of the courageous, faithful and wise woman in the Old Testament. The text that describes her is at the end of the Book of Proverbs:

10 A woman of valor who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. 22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: 29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates. (Proverbs 31:10-31).

This woman reminds us of the heroic women throughout the Old Testament and the New who remained faithful and served as shining examples of holiness and wisdom. Most of all, the Christian is reminded of Mary, mother of Jesus, who serves as a model for every disciple of her son.

This feast is celebrated as the patron feast of a center that serves migrants and asylum seekers, many of them women. These women are also heroic in their struggle to provide for their families, preserve their self-respect, transmit the faith to their children, build the Church and contribute to society.

The explanation of the icon of Our Lady Woman of Valor can be found here

The novena preparing for the feast can be found here

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