How can the Church be called a mother and virgin at the same time?
Q535 · The Eminence of the Church
St. Augustine says, “Surpassing all the sons of men in beauty (cf. Ps. 44:3), He, the Son of holy Mary and the Spouse of holy Church, has made the Church like to His Mother, since He made it a mother for us and He kept it a virgin for Himself.”1087 Again he says, “Your Father is God; the Church is your Mother. Far otherwise will you be generated by them than when you were begotten by your physical parents.”1088
The Fathers cited
- St. Augustine