J.M.J. "According to some, Mary's virginity after the Birth is denied by
the Gospel texts which record the existence of four 'brothers of
Jesus': James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Mt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3), and
of several sisters.
"It should be recalled that no specific term exists in Hebrew and
Aramaic to express the word 'cousin', and that the terms 'brother' and 'sister', therefore had a far broader
meaning which included several degrees of relationship. In fact, the
phrase 'brothers of Jesus' indicates 'the children' of a Mary who was a disciple of Christ (cf. Mt 27:56) and who is
significantly described as 'the other Mary' (Mt 28:1). 'They are close relations of Jesus, according to an Old Testament
expression' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n.
500).
"Mary Most Holy is thus the 'Ever Virgin'. Her prerogative
is the consequence of her Divine Motherhood which totally consecrated
her to Christ's mission of redemption."
--Saint John Paul II, Wednesday General Audience, August 28, 1996.
--Saint John Paul II, Wednesday General Audience, August 28, 1996.
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