Monday, December 07, 2015

Elements that paved the way for Christian virginity



* December 7 – Vigil of the Immaculate Conception  * Elements that paved the way for Christian virginity ----- A Moment with Mary --

Une Minute avec Marie
An initiative of the Mary of Nazareth Association

December 7 – Vigil of the Immaculate Conception 


Elements that paved the way for Christian virginity


Mary writing the Magnificat, by Marie Ellenrieder, 1833
Before Mary, even though a woman's infertility was considered shameful among the Jews, many elements were paving the way for Christian virginity. For example, the great importance attributed to a bride’s virginity. It is also apparent in the context of the Promise and the Covenant. But in Mary, virginity knew its true measure—Mary is the only woman in the New Testament who is given the title of virgin (Lk 1:27; Mt 1:23).

It is important to examine in turn two facts that can appear independent but are corollaries of each other—Mary’s virginal conception (Lk 1:35) and her perpetual virginity (Lk 1:34).

In this regard, we must distinguish the Immaculate Conception from the virgin birth. The first refers to the fact that Mary was conceived without sin, the second consists in the fact that Mary conceived Jesus of the Holy Spirit, and gave birth to him, while keeping her virginity.

Jeanine Hourcade


All images from Wikipedia






     

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