Doubt III: Whether the reward of virginity is the aureole

The Holy Doctor asserts that to the habit of virginity corresponds the Aureole, as is evident; and to the state the fruit; but to the beauty the Aureole; for aureolae are assigned to those acts which consider something extrinsic, such as the body, or one's neighbor, which leads to the fatherland. Therefore the aureole of doctrine will belong to Doctors, who instructed others; and to Martyrs, who handed over their bodies to death; and a certain aureole will belong to Virgins, who preserved their bodies incorrupt for Christ, and that aureole, and that joy, is called the Aureola.

It is proved therefore first from Exodus 25. where he commands an Aureola to be made over the table of the Sanctuary. And Apoc. 12. where the woman clothed with the Sun was crowned with twelve stars.

Then, because the combat of the flesh is the greatest; therefore a noble crown is owed to it.

You will ask, why the aureola is owed to the virgin; for it is not owed to her on account of difficulty, for it is more difficult to deny one's will; nor on account of perfection, for it is more perfect to love one's enemy.

It is answered, that it is owed to her by reason of the beauty, as I said. The rest is easy in the Holy Doctor.