'Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary' Summary

Saint Jerome's 'Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary' was written as a direct response to Helvidius, a contemporary theologian who challenged the traditional Christian belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, remained perpetually virgin. Helvidius pointed to biblical passages mentioning Jesus having 'brethren' and 'sisters' as evidence that Mary had other children after Jesus' birth. Jerome, a prominent Church Father, passionately defended the perpetual virginity of Mary through three arguments. Firstly, he asserted that Joseph was only a legal husband, not a true husband, to Mary, implying a lack of physical intimacy. Secondly, Jerome argued that Jesus' 'brethren' were actually his cousins, not biological siblings, based on his interpretation of the genealogy of Jesus and the custom of referring to cousins as brothers in that era. Finally, Jerome championed the virtue of virginity over marriage, emphasizing its spiritual significance within the context of early Christianity. The book is a testament to the importance of Mary's perpetual virginity in early Christian thought. It reflects Jerome's profound reverence for the Virgin Mary and his commitment to defending traditional Christian beliefs, showcasing his mastery of scriptural interpretation and theological debate.