St. Luke Catholic Church

06/29/2026

Did Mary Remain a Virgin, or Did She Have Other Children?

Imagine a conversation between two Christians.

One says:
"The Bible mentions Jesus' brothers and sisters. Doesn't that mean Mary had other children after Jesus?"

The other replies:
"But Catholics have always believed that Mary remained a virgin her entire life."

Both open their Bibles.

Both sincerely want the truth.

So, what does the Bible actually teach?

To answer this, we need to begin with a story from the Bible.

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he announced that she would conceive and bear the Son of God.

Mary responded with a surprising question:
"How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" (Luke 1:34)
After the angel explained God's plan, Mary freely accepted His will.
Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, not through ordinary human relations.

The Church has always believed that this miraculous conception was the beginning of Mary's unique vocation as the Virgin Mother of God.

But did she remain a virgin afterward?

Let's find out.

First, The Catholic Church Teaches Mary's Perpetual Virginity.
From the earliest centuries, the Church has taught that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus.
This belief is known as Mary's perpetual virginity.
It is not a medieval invention but one of the ancient teachings of Christianity.

Second, What About Jesus' "Brothers and Sisters"?
The Gospels mention the "brothers" and "sisters" of Jesus.
However, in the Jewish culture and languages of the Bible, the words translated as "brother" and "sister" were often used for close relatives such as cousins, nephews, nieces, or members of the same extended family.
Scripture itself gives examples where people called "brothers" are known to be other relatives rather than children of the same mother.

Third, Jesus Entrusted Mary to John.
As Jesus was dying on the Cross, He said to His mother:
"Woman, behold, your son."
Then He said to the beloved disciple:
"Behold, your mother." (John 19:26-27)
If Mary had other biological sons, Jewish custom would normally have expected one of them to care for her.
Instead, Jesus entrusted her to the Apostle John.
The Church has long seen this as consistent with Mary's perpetual virginity.

Fourth, Does Matthew 1:25 Mean Joseph and Mary Had Other Children?
Matthew says that Joseph "had no relations with her until she bore a son." (Matthew 1:25)
Some people think the word "until" means they later had marital relations.
However, in the Bible, the word "until" does not always imply that something changed afterward.
For example, 2 Samuel 6:23 says that Michal had no children until the day of her death. Obviously, she did not have children after her death.
Therefore, Matthew 1:25 does not prove that Mary had other children.

Fifth, Why Does This Matter?
The Church does not teach Mary's perpetual virginity to diminish marriage or family life.
Rather, it points to Mary's unique mission in salvation history.
She was completely dedicated to God's plan and became the Mother of the Son of God in a singular and extraordinary way.
Her perpetual virginity highlights the uniqueness of Christ's birth and Mary's total consecration to God.

Finally, the Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained a virgin throughout her life. While the Bible mentions Jesus' "brothers and sisters," the Church understands these references as referring to close relatives, not other children born to Mary. This belief has been held by Christians from the earliest centuries and reflects Mary's unique role as the Mother of God.

In simple words, did Mary remain a virgin, or did she have other children? The Catholic Church teaches that Mary remained ever-virgin. The "brothers and sisters" mentioned in the Bible are understood as relatives or close kin, not children of Mary. Her perpetual virginity is a sign of her unique calling and complete dedication to God's plan.

Now you know.

SOURCES
Sacred Scripture (Catholic Translation):
Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:18-25, Mark 6:3, John 19:25-27, Genesis 13:8, 2 Samuel 6:23

Catechism of the Catholic Church §§499-507

Lumen Gentium §§52-69

© Catholic Dailies
Be Prayerful. Be Inspired.

06/09/2026

VBS began yesterday, June 8th. Volunteers worked hard to make ready for a great week!

06/07/2026

✝️ WHY DO CATHOLICS HAVE HOLY WATER? THE ANSWER GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE BIBLE 😲

One of the first things many visitors notice when entering a Catholic church is a small font of water near the entrance.

Catholics dip their fingers into it.

They make the Sign of the Cross.

Some people keep holy water in their homes.

Others bless themselves before sleep, before travel, or during times of prayer.

This often leads to questions:

"Why do Catholics use holy water?"

"Isn't it just ordinary water?"

"Did Catholics invent this practice?"

Or even:

"Is holy water magic?"

The answer may surprise you.

Holy water is not a Catholic invention.

Its roots go deep into Sacred Scripture.

✝️ WATER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SIGN OF GOD'S ACTION

From the very beginning of the Bible, water appears as a powerful symbol of God's work.

At Creation:

"The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2)

During Noah's time, water became an instrument of purification and a new beginning.

When Moses led Israel out of Egypt, God parted the Red Sea and delivered His people through water.

When Israel entered the Promised Land, they crossed the Jordan River.

Again and again, God used water as a sign of cleansing, blessing, life, and salvation.

Water was never "just water."

It pointed to something greater.

✝️ THE OLD TESTAMENT ALREADY HAD BLESSED WATER

Many Christians are surprised to discover that blessed water appears in the Old Testament.

In Numbers 5, sacred water was used in a religious rite.

In 2 Kings 2:19-22, the prophet Elisha purified contaminated water through God's power.

The idea that God can use water as a means of blessing is deeply biblical.

The Catholic Church did not invent this concept.

She inherited it from biblical worship.

✝️ JESUS GAVE WATER AN EVEN DEEPER MEANING

Everything reaches its fulfillment in Christ.

Jesus spoke of:

living water,

being born of water and the Spirit,

and eternal life flowing from Him.

He declared:

"Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

Water became the visible sign of Baptism.

Through water and the Holy Spirit, souls are cleansed and made new.

This is why water occupies such an important place in Christian life.

✝️ WHAT EXACTLY IS HOLY WATER?

Holy water is ordinary water that has been blessed by the Church.

The blessing sets it apart for sacred use.

The water itself does not become magical.

Its power does not come from chemistry.

Its power comes from God's blessing and from the prayers of the Church.

Holy water is what Catholics call a sacramental.

✝️ WHAT IS A SACRAMENTAL?

A sacramental is a sacred sign established by the Church that prepares people to receive grace and helps sanctify daily life.

Examples include:

holy water,

blessed medals,

blessed crucifixes,

blessed rosaries,

and blessed scapulars.

Unlike the Sacraments, sacramentals do not work automatically.

They dispose us to receive God's grace and remind us of spiritual realities.

✝️ WHY DO CATHOLICS MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS WITH HOLY WATER?

Because holy water reminds us of Baptism.

Every time Catholics bless themselves with holy water, they recall the day they became Christians.

They remember that they belong to Christ.

It is a small act with a profound meaning.

In a sense, holy water is a reminder of our identity.

✝️ DOES HOLY WATER DRIVE AWAY EVIL?

The Church has long used holy water in prayers against evil.

Not because the water itself possesses magical powers.

Rather, because God's blessing is invoked upon it.

Throughout Christian history, holy water has been used:

in homes,

during blessings,

in exorcisms,

and in prayers for protection.

The power is God's.

The water is simply a sign through which the Church asks for His help.

✝️ IS THIS SUPERSTITION?

No.

Superstition treats an object as if it had power by itself.

Catholic teaching rejects that completely.

Holy water is not a lucky charm.

It is not a magical liquid.

A person who treats holy water as magic misunderstands the faith.

Its purpose is to direct us toward God, not away from Him.

✝️ WHY DO MANY CATHOLICS KEEP HOLY WATER AT HOME?

Because faith is not meant to stay inside church buildings.

Catholics often use holy water:

before prayer,

before sleep,

before leaving home,

during illness,

or during moments of temptation.

It serves as a reminder that every part of life belongs to God.

The home itself becomes a place of prayer.

✝️ WHAT IS THE DEEPEST MEANING OF HOLY WATER?

The deepest meaning is not protection.

It is not even blessing.

The deepest meaning is remembrance.

Holy water constantly reminds Christians:

You have been baptized.

You belong to Christ.

You have died and risen with Him.

You are called to live as a child of God.

Every drop points back to the grace of Baptism.

✝️ THE CONCLUSION

Why do Catholics have holy water?

Because water has always been a biblical sign of God's action.

Because Jesus made water a sign of new life through Baptism.

Because the Church blesses water as a sacramental to help believers grow in faith.

And because every time a Catholic touches holy water and makes the Sign of the Cross, he or she is reminded of one of the most important truths in Christianity:

You are not your own.

You belong to Christ.

And sometimes a few drops of blessed water are enough to remind a soul of that eternal reality.

✝️

05/24/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH ✝️
_______________
Today, the fire of the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, and the Church was born. What began in an Upper Room in Jerusalem continues today across the whole world.

Pentecost is not just a past event.
It is a reminder that the Holy Spirit still transforms lives, strengthens the weak, heals hearts, raises saints, and sets souls on fire for God.

May this Pentecost bring new grace, new fire, new strength, and new life into your soul.

Come, Holy Spirit. 🔥🕊️



✝️

05/20/2026

05/07/2026

Announcement: May 24, 2026
the Mass at 11:30am will be offered for our parish graduates. If you have a family member that is graduating and would like to add them to the Mass intentions for this day please contact the church office @ 903-873-3862.

Anuncio: 24 de mayo de 2026
La misa a las 11:30 a.m. se ofrecerá a nuestros graduados de la parroquia. Si tiene un miembro de su familia que se está graduando y le gustaría agregarlo a las intenciones de la misa para este día, comuníquese con la oficina de la iglesia @ 903-873-3862.

05/07/2026

Notification: During Fr. Susai's vacation, Fr. Lawrence will continue to be available for confession on Saturdays from 3pm-4pm.

Notificación: Durante las vacaciones de P. Susai, P. Lawrence seguirá estando disponible para la confesión los sábados de 3 p. m. a 4 p. m.

04/25/2026

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