Introduction: chastity and female identity. The Roman empire: the apostolic life cult and countercults the discipline of the desert. The early middle ages: the power of prayer the frontier outpost the bonds of castimony family ties the world, the flesh, and the devil. The high middle ages: the imitation of Christ cura mulierum disordered women the alchemy of mysticism the tears of Magdalene. The early modern era: regular lives defenders of the faith Martha's part the mystical regiment the sweetness of life. Modern times: culture wars the feminine apostolate. Conclusion: toward a third millennium.
Ranft et al. (Mon,) studied this question.