Chaste Union - Adelphopoiesis

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sealabeag

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Hi,
I was just reading about Adelphopoiesis, or “brother-making” as a ritual in the history of the Church.
My question is this: does, or has a practice/ritual/etc., ever existed for uniting a male and female in a bond or union of love, similar to marriage, but in a chaste union.
Obviously the marriage of Our Lady and St. Joseph comes to mind as the prime example of such a union.

Thanks.
 
sealabeag said:
Hi,
I was just reading about Adelphopoiesis, or “brother-making” as a ritual in the history of the Church.
My question is this: does, or has a practice/ritual/etc., ever existed for uniting a male and female in a bond or union of love, similar to marriage, but in a chaste union.
Obviously the marriage of Our Lady and St. Joseph comes to mind as the prime example of such a union.

Thanks.
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You are describing a Josephite marriage. You might try searching using that term.
 
The case of Saints Daria and Hrisant. Early centuries of Christianity. They two were wed, did not consume it, he was Christian, she was a Pagan priestess aimed to corrupt him. In the end he converted her and they preached together. They were martyrized.
They lived during emperor Numerian 3rd century.
 
I’m not sure the “Josephite Marriage” is quite what I have in mind - it appears (although I might be wrong, I just googled it briefly) to be an actual marriage that simply is never consummated.
 
It is just that. An unconsummated valid marriage. I’m not aware of anything else available for uniting men and women in a union.
 
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I’m thinking of something of a more spiritual nature, perhaps something like the relationship between St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane Frances de Chantal, or other saints who had profoundly deep relationships, although called to religious life.
 
People can have profoundly deep relationships any ol’ time they want, but there is not a Church ritual for joining them together in their profoundly deep relationship.
Unless they are a single man and single woman who marry, of course.
 
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Yeah, I don’t see the point, really. If a single man and woman just have a deep platonic friendship, then that’s all well and good. They don’t need some kind of marriage-lite ceremony.
 
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I just asked if it exists/ever has existed, not for reasons why it’s silly or if it’s a good idea. Thanks.
 
Sometimes discussions branch off from the original topic slightly. It’s not a commentary on your question.
 
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