Discourse to Pious Maidens: Excellence of Virginity

[@gray_mara]

Such a beautiful reflection! We need the wise words of this Saint as an antidote to our modern worldview that cannot comprehend the beauty of virginity. Please share more content like this!

[@blutg7840]

That was a very awakening reading that should make every married women shutter a bit! Lord have mercy on all of us married women!

[@johncharleson8733]

But what if you breed, in your immediate of future line, consecrated virgins?

[@benjaminnadler938]

Why should married women shudder? Doesn't Christ love married women? This sermon is so one sided I don't know where to start.

[@gray_mara]

@@benjaminnadler938 This sermon is by a great Saint and Doctor of the Church who wasn't infected with our modern view of the world. Of course the sermon is one sided! When one thing is obviously better than another, it's our duty to the truth and to justice to admit it. This has always been the teaching of the Church, of the Saints, the Apostles and Evangelists and of Jesus Himself. That's where you should start, with what has always been taught by the Church. If you start with the teachings of the world, not only will you not know where to start, you don't want to know where you will end.

[@benjaminnadler938]

@@gray_mara Being a Doctor of the Church doesn't mean you are infallible and correct in everything you say. Other Doctors of the Church had a very high regard for marriage. St John Chrysostom held that a good marriage properly lived would lead one to holiness equal to that of the holiest monks, and he wasn't infected with modernism. St. Augustine defended marriage against the Manichean heresy, which pretty much held that anything involved with the physical body was bad. I feel bad for Alphonsus, it seems like he didn't know any women who had a happy marriage, it seems to be his impression that all married women were miserable. (Why he harps on women so heavily in this sermon is a mystery, why is he not also exhorting men to avoid the misery of marriage? I am also curious as to what particular person/people were the intended receivers of this.) Catholic teaching is steeped in marriage and its symbolism... Why else is Christ the Bridegroom and the Church the Bride? Why else did God create humans "in his image, male and female", and then tell them to "fill the earth and subdue it?" God created our bodies and our inclinations to suit His purposes. A fruitful, holy marriage is no sin. It is a path to heaven. B Lutg, relax. We all need God's mercy, but that has nothing to do with whether we are married or not.

[@gray_mara]

@@benjaminnadler938 You're right that being a Doctor of the Church doesn't make him infallible, but he is correct in this. It has always been the teaching of the Church and the Council of Trent clarified it as an anathema. "If anyone says that virginity is not better than marriage, let him be anathema." The Bible literally says virginity is better. It's possible to esteem one thing while admitting another is better. We don't have to love one and hate the other. The simple fact is that, as St Paul says, a virgin has more freedom to focus on God. A married woman must alot her time to husband and children. That doesn't mean that married people can't be Saints. Of course they can. It doesn't mean that virgins can't be sinners. But, objectively, virginity is better. If you want to be Catholic, you will have to accept that. Catholic symbolism is heavily steeped in bridal imagery. There is no contradiction in this. The virginal vocation is also steeped with bridal imagery. She is the bride of God. She expresses in her own body what we will one day be: exclusively wedded to Christ alone. Marriage, however beautiful, will not last forever. It is a concession for the present time. It is no sin, but the path to heaven for those who indulge in it is more difficult. It's like working full time and trying to do a university degree. You might still get your degree. You might even get the highest mark in the class. But your studies will be much more difficult than it would be if you weren't working full time.

[@pattycakesxo1758]

This was simple- if one focuses on the oath, it is to be for eternity.Who strives for this duty towards service and sainthood,long suffering.This was a beautiful reflection on the clergy as celibates.Always praying for them is a wonderful,mindful reflection by those of us whom they serve selflessly.

[@kimfleury]

3 Aves for each of you 🌹🌹🌹🙏🏻🌹🌹🌹🙏🏻 that this channel may be for the Lord's work ✝️📿🙏🏻

[@Regina-zx3ex]

Whatever you are called to -be faithful to The Lord. In trial and suffering ask Him to reveal to you the silver lining. Remember all suffer. It is where we are forged into His likeness. Mothers are called to raise little ones to know, love and serve The Lord. Our time is not wasted nor does it detract from our love or pursuit of Christ. When you serve others, you serve Him. Some by way of their life are the reason their spouse converts. Pax Christi