An Apologetical Explanation of the

Perpetual Virginity of Mary

What evidence is there that the Blessed Virgin Mary remained a virgin throughout her life?

When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”  And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.  (Jn 19:26-27)

While not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in no way contradicts Sacred Scripture; it has been held by the Church since her earliest days and thus is securely taught by Sacred Tradition.

From the beginning, the Church has always proclaimed her belief in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ.  This is mentioned throughout Scripture and is precisely affirmed in the Apostles’ Creed.  Furthermore, it was confirmed many times by Church councils.  (Cf. CCC 496)

In addition to proclaiming the Blessed Virgin Mary’s virginity before the Birth of Christ, the writings of the Church Fathers attest that the Church, from its earliest years, has taught that she remained a virgin after the Birth of Christ; she “remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin” (St. Augustine, Serm., 186, 1: PL 38, 999).  A council at the Lateran AD 649 specifically addressed this ancient belief in her virginity before, during, and after childbirth, that is, her Perpetual Virginity (cf. DS 503).  Thus, the Church proclaims that the Blessed Virgin Mary remained a virgin not only before the conception of Christ but always.  (Cf. CCC 499, 510)

Although the Bible makes reference to the “brothers” and “sisters” of Christ, the Aramaic language spoken by Christ and his disciples does not have a word that differentiates “brother” from “cousin” or “near relative,” so such a reference would be ambiguous in translation.  St. James, son of Cleophas, is referred to as a brother of Christ when in fact he was Christ’s cousin.  Also, when one reads Christ’s declaration from the Cross, “Behold, your mother!” (Jn 19:27), one can reasonably conclude that the Blessed Virgin Mary was entrusted to St. John’s care because she had no other children.  (Cf. CCC 500, 2674)

The Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary reflects the great value of virginity in both its bodily and spiritual dimensions.  The call to live a life of virginity has always been honored as a reflection of her virginity.  “Our Lord… did not diminish His mother’s virginal integrity but sanctified it” (LG 57).  Virginity frees a person to live a life dedicated totally to God, as the parenthood of the few is replaced with a parenthood of many.  (Cf. CCC 510, 922)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraphs 499 and 510.

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