The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary

The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary (Latin: De perpetua virginitate beatae Mariae adversus Helvidium) is an apologetic work of Saint Jerome (c.AD 342/7–420). It is an answer to Helvidius.[1]

Oldest known image of Mary, mother of Jesus, here depicted nursing her son (Roman catacombs, 2nd century AD)

Helvidius was the author of a work written about the year 383 against the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary (the mother of Jesus).

Saint Jerome maintains against Helvidius three propositions:

  • That Joseph was only putatively, not really, the husband of Mary.
  • That the "brothers" of the Lord were his cousins, not his own brothers.
  • That virginity is better than the married state.

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