My prayer group is studying Fr. Donald Calloway’s book “Consecration to St. Joseph.” This week we read a quote by St. Lawrence of Brindisi that gives us some insight into Mary and Joseph’s marriage. The quote was used in a different context, to offer a response to the question of who is greater, St. Joseph or St. John the Baptist. However, it does contain this little nugget:
…for just as husband and wife are one flesh, so too Joseph and Mary were one heart, one soul, one spirit.
But Joseph and Mary were not one flesh.
They had what is termed a Josephite marriage. Such a
marriage means both parties agree to abstain from sex by a free mutual
decision, rather than resulting from impotence or the views of one party.
The parents of St. Therese of Lisieux entered into such a union,
but after one year their spiritual advisor directed them to consummate the
marriage, which resulted in the birth of nine children, five of whom survived to
adulthood.
The first time I heard the term Josephite marriage was when
I was trying to understand Mary’s perpetual virginity and the concepts of continence,
chastity, and celibacy. Also, even though the Protoevangelium of James was condemned
and rejected by Church authorities, it does help us to comprehend the circumstances
around Mary’s upbringing and unusual marriage to Joseph. You may read it HERE.
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