THE VIRGINITY OF MARY

 “Merciful Father, as you have sent the Holy Spirit on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to write all that You wished and wanted, we pray You, send the same Holy Spirit on us, so that we may understand, appreciate Your Word, and make it our plan of life. This we ask for the merits of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

48 … There was a time,  when, those who did not believe in the Virginity of Mary used to get the excuse or forward the argument (false) that perpetual virginity was never part of the Jewish Culture or the Jewish mentality. But that argument, today, holds no water. It has been confirmed, beyond any doubt, that in the days of Mary and Joseph, there were many, of both sexes, who used to consecrate themselves to God by taking a vow of perpetual virginity.

The existence of whole Communities who used to live as such, with a vow of virginity is confirmed by the the Jewish author, Philo of Alexandria (45AD), and by Josephus Flavius, the Jewish historian (79AD). Both historians mention communities of women and men, called the Essenes (meaning the Just), who led a celibate life. The finding of Documents in the Quran Caves in Palestine, is proof of these historians’ statements.

One might be tempted to ask; ‘Is chastity a culture, or is it a God-given gift ?’

The answer is very straightforward; chastity, consecrated to God does not depend on the culture, nor on the mentality of the times, nor on customs of any peoples. Virginity is essentially a gift, a charism (vocation / a calling) by God Himself.. God is free to give such a gift (virginity) to anyone He pleases, irrespective of the mentality or culture of the people.

He, Himself reminds us of this when He said:

“But he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.”  (Mt.19,11)

So, if God deigns to give the gift of virginity to those He calls to walk after Him, to live totally for Him, a life of consecrated virginity, how much more He did grant it to the Maiden of Nazareth to become His own Mother, the Mother of God. Mary did understand this gift as we find in Matthew 19, 11.

Mary had the fullness of grace (Lk.1, 28) and this means that God was with her every second, she had the fullness of the Presence of God. She was, we could say, the property of Him who dwelt in her. That is why her Immaculate  Virginity was the ‘sign’ and the ‘effect’ the ‘result’ of her total surrender, her giving up of self to God.                        /49

Certain Information taken, with kind permission, from the book “Who is Mary” by H.G.Mons. Sylvester Magro ofm, Bishop of Benghazi. A very dear friend