“Just as the Magi offered three gifts to the Lord, so do we make three gifts when we make our profession of vows. The first gift that we offer to God is the vow of holy obedience. This is symbolized by the gold offered by the Magi, more pure and more precious than any other metal. And the good works that we do are like many precious stones in the sight of God if they are set in the gold, that is, with the merit of holy obedience. They do not otherwise stand well on their own, nor when they are set in a poor metal. But to precious stones should be given an equally precious metal. The second is holy poverty, bearing it patiently with true love of God along with fervent prayer, which like incense, is acceptable to God.
The third gift is spotless chastity, which we ought to observe not only in mind and body, but also by mortifying our senses and our tongue. In doing so, this gift will be acceptable to God, as the myrrh offered by the Magi.” - Blessed Julia of Milan, Poor Clare