Question: How long did Mary remain a virgin?

Answer: The Church since the early centuries of Christianity has believed in Mary’s “perpetual virginity,” i.e. Mary remained a virgin before, during and after Jesus’ birth. This doctrine thus proclaims that Mary had no marital relations after the birth of Jesus nor gave birth to any other children that Jesus. While the Bible mentions “brothers of Jesus,” Catholic, Orthodox and some traditional Protestant interpretations explain that these siblings were either children of Joseph by a previous marriage (hence, the usual portrayal of Joseph as an older man), cousins of Jesus (all relatives in his time were typically dubbed as brothers and sisters), or were closely associated with the Holy Family. By the 4th century, the doctrine was widely supported by the Church Fathers and by the 4th century it had been affirmed on a number of ecumenical councils. This doctrine is part of the teaching of Catholicism, Anglicans, Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy, some Lutherans and Methodists. Keep the questions for Fr. Jim coming! ~Love in Him, , Fr. Jim

This is the time of year when we pray in a special way for those people who have chosen, of their own free will, to enter the Catholic Church at Easter. On Saturday, February 17th, the bishops of the Archdiocese of Detroit formally declared the catechumens preparing for Baptism and candidates preparing for Confirmation and Holy Communion to final preparation for their initiation.

Keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in your prayers this Lenten season.