The Perpetual Virginity of Mary: what is it and its meaning
The concept of Perpetual Virginity is one of the oldest articles of faith regarding Our Lady: the Church proclaims Mary “ever Virgin” – before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. It is not a biographical detail but a sign: Mary’s virginity reveals that salvation is a free gift from God, and expresses her total consecration to the mystery of the Son.
What does “ever Virgin” mean?
Tradition distinguishes three moments (ante partum, in partu, post partum):
- Before the birth: Mary conceives Jesus virginally, by the power of the Holy Spirit, without the participation of a man (Lk 1:34-35);
- At the birth: Her virginity is preserved as she gives birth;
- After the birth: Mary remains virgin for the rest of her life.
And “brothers of Jesus”?
The Gospel mentions “brothers” of Jesus (Mk 6:3). However, the Greek word adelphós, in Semitic usage, also designates close relatives – cousins, nephews. This is how the Church has always understood it: already in the 4th century, St. Jerome defended this interpretation against Helvidius. No text affirms that Mary had other children; on the contrary, at the Cross, Jesus commits His Mother to John (Jn 19:26-27), which would be strange if there were other brothers.
A constant faith of the Church
Perpetual virginity is confessed from the Fathers and in the liturgy. It was solemnly reaffirmed by the Council of Latran (649), under Pope St. Martin I, who proclaimed Mary “ever Virgin“. The Vatican II Council restated it (Lumen Gentium 57), and the Catechism explains it in nn. 499-507.
The theological sense
Mary’s virginity is not a disregard for marriage or motherhood; she is both Virgin and Mother simultaneously. It is a sign: her maternal role reveals that Jesus is a gift from God, and not the fruit of human will; and her perpetual virginity expresses that Mary belongs entirely to the mystery she generated. She is the image of the Church, virgin and mother in faith.
See also
Dive deeper into this topic by exploring all our articles in the Virginity archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Mary to be “ever Virgin”?
That she remained virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus (ante partum, in partu, post partum).
Did Jesus have brothers?
The “brothers” mentioned in the Gospel are close relatives (cousins), according to Semitic usage of the word. The Church has always taught that Mary did not have other children.
Is perpetual virginity a dogma?
Yes. It is a truth of faith, confessed from the Fathers and solemnly reaffirmed by the Council of Latran in 649.
Text from the Locus Mariologicus Institute, founded in Rome. Scientific direction by Prof. Dr. Daniel Cerqueira Afonso (PhD, Marianum).
This truth is part of the four Marian dogmas of the Church.
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