Dear Catholic Exchange,
There is a concern from one member of my prayer group regarding how Jesus was born. In the movie The Nativity Story, Mary delivered baby Jesus through the birth canal. She said that Mary remained a virgin and could not have delivered Jesus through the birth canal. She read the revelation of the Blessed Mother to Maria de Agreda that Jesus came out through her belly. Is this true?
Thank you and God bless you all for this wonderful work of yours.
Mayang
Dear Mayang,
Peace in Christ!
Our Faith Fact Mary's Perpetual Virginity provides an explanation for this frequently asked question (here is an excerpt):
"The Church has traditionally understood Mary's virginity in partu (during birth) as meaning that Jesus passed from His Mother's womb into the light of day without the womb being opened and consequently without the destruction of the physical signs of virginity possessed by one who is virgin in conception. Secondly, Mary's virginity in partu involves the absence of labor pains and usual infirmities (e.g., rupturing, bleeding, etc.) involved in gestation. It was, in reality, a miraculous birth, which relates more to her role in the New Creation (and thus her Immaculate Conception and Assumption) rather than her virginity before and after."
I've heard the birth described as "light through a glass." I think, though, that the birth was miraculous, and eludes our complete understanding.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
