Corpus Christi Blog

This week, we'll take a closer look at the second Marian Dogma declared by the Magisterium, which is Mary's perpetual virginity, also called her "three-fold" virginity. This dogma was confirmed at the Second Council of Constantinople in AD 553 and later pronounced by Pope Martin I at the First Lateran Council in AD 640. The term "three-fold virginity" means that Mary was a virgin before the birth of Jesus, during the birth of Jesus, and after the birth of Jesus. Let's look at what each of these terms means in more detail, as well as clarify some common questions about its teaching.

Today, the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord. According to the Jewish custom of the time, the Law of Moses required the mother to undergo ritual purification for 40 days after giving birth, completed with the sacrifice of a lamb, along with a pigeon or turtledove (cf. Lev 12). For those parents who were too poor to afford a lamb, as in Mary and Joseph’s case, an allowance was made for the sacrifice of two pigeons or two turtledoves instead. Further, all firstborn children were to be consecrated to God in a special way (Exodus 13:2). From the Presentation story, we see that Mary and Joseph cooperated in God's plan for Jesus from the beginning.  In this moment, the prophet Simeon addresses Mary directly, highlighting her unique role in her Son’s life and ministry as he prophesies that a sword will pierce her soul.

On September 30, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI issued an Apostolic Exhortation entitled, Verbum Domini: The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church, to serve as a deep study on how Sacred Scripture is at the heart of the Church’s life and mission. The exhortation is quite an extensive document and a thorough analysis of various aspects of Scripture, such as how it reveals each of the three persons of the Trinity, how it should be interpreted and studied, its role in the life of the Church, its use for proper evangelization and catechesis, and so on. For my purposes here, I will focus on the pope’s explanation of the relationship between Sacred Scripture and the Sacred Liturgy.

The Nicene Creed, which we recite at Mass every Sunday, contains a concise summary of what we believe as Catholics. Within that summary, we affirm our faith in the Church, which is defined as “One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.” These four
adjectives — one, holy, catholic, and apostolic — are known as the “Four Marks of the Church.” They describe the essential qualities of the Church as it was established by Christ and as it continues to exist today. Understanding these marks can help us Catholics appreciate the nature of the Church and our place within it.

Today, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, which concludes the Christmas season and transitions us into Ordinary Time. The Baptism of Jesus is one of the most significant events in the life of Christ, marking the beginning of his public ministry and providing insight into God's plan for salvation. St. John the Baptist is also a significant figure in this event, as God chose him to prepare the way for his Son's ministry and to baptize him. St. John is not simply a person who facilitates a historical event, but also a theological symbol pointing to deeper truths about repentance, salvation, and the Holy Trinity. Let's take a deeper look at the Baptism of the Lord.

A couple of days ago, on January 3, the Church celebrated the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, and the entire month of January is dedicated to it. The name of Jesus is not simply a name; rather, it is deeply significant in the life of the Catholic Church with theological and spiritual implications. Let's take a deeper look at the significance of the Holy Name of Jesus and why it is a source of salvation, reverence, and prayer.