My Special Day, My First Communion

On this day in 1973 I made my First Holy Communion. I like to remember my most important anniversary. The Mass was at 2:00 pm, and my godmother called me earlier that day to congratulate me because she lived several states away. My godfather and his family, more friends, and relatives came to my First Communion Mass and to my home to celebrate afterwards.

We second graders lined up by height, and I was second. The entrance song was "Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing . . .. ."

My mother made my communion dress out of the train of her wedding dress. The sleeves were bells sleeves like the angels wore. I thought I had the prettiest dress and felt sorry for the girls who were wearing store bought dresses.

We each had a paper red heart with our first name pinned to our chest so Fr. Morris would say our name when he said, "Body of Christ."

From then on, I started counting the number of times I went to Communion because each time was very exciting. I eventually lost track though.

I am happy to report that my parents remained happily married till my mom's death six years ago. Both of my godparents are still alive, and we keep in touch. The street in front of that church is named Rev. Morris Blvd. Now I am a communion minister and still find it exciting to receiving the body and blood of Christ.

Mary's Virginity - Why It Lasted Forever

Previously I wrote about the Blessed Mother's perpetual virginity. No one answered my question why is it so important to us that she remained a virgin.

However, if she weren't, then we'd have to change our thinking and opinions and beliefs about Joseph and Mary.

 Leila at Little Catholic Bubble explained Mary's virginity. Here's my summary: Joseph knew that Mary was united with the Holy Spirit, and that God was the Father of baby Jesus.

Joseph thought, "Whoa, man! It's like she really IS married to God. I better not mess with Mary! I just better keep my hands to myself and restrict my duties to carrying the heavy pottery and leading the way to Egypt. I don't want to get on God's bad side."

Of course, Joseph helped out Mary in many ways and with the raising of Jesus.

Are You Still a Virgin?

Asking someone whether or not they are still a virgin is a very personal question. And most of the time, it's none of our business. I'm talking about living in the current Non-Traditional Catholic Land, or in Non-Catholic Land.

So, how do we Catholics know if Mary, our Blessed Mother, remained a virgin? I want to know who had the nerve to ask Mary if she remained a virgin throughout her life with Joseph. We know by our Catholic tradition and by reading the Bible and through Church teaching that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived (by the Holy Spirit). But how do we know she REMAINED a virgin?? Maybe I missed that part in Bible study. And why is it any of our business?

What if Mary and  Joseph had sex some time after Jesus was born? Let's say they did. Whom would have Mary told? I don't think she would have told Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, Andrew, Simon, etc. Is that something you would tell your son's friends? Who said what to whom? Was Joseph complaining to one of his buddies that marital life was missing marital relations? Maybe he was really much to old and didn't have the energy and told someone.

Maybe Joseph was too freaked out that Mary was called by God, and he better not go near her.

If somehow it was revealed that Mary did not remain a virgin, would that be such a bad thing? She was a married woman after all, wasn't she?

Why is it so important to us that Mary remained a virgin?

I'm just asking.