Don, thank you. Memaw, I’ve always respected you on these forums. That still hasn’t changed.
Don, how would you answer this question? You’ve taught theology? Awesome. I’d love your opinion.
If you are wanting to examine this from the theological perspective, and do so as an English speaker, I would suggest beginning with Monsignor Arthur Calkins. He’s a noted Mariologist whom one understandably thinks of mostly for his writings on the theology of entrustment – which is a more theologically appropriate treatment of the concept of consecration as it relates to devotion to the Blessed Virgin; it is a contemporary theological treatment that takes into account the magisterium of Pope Saint John Paul II on this issue.
Monsignor did, however, also write a scholarly article on Our Lady’s
virginitas in partu, which is part of the theological triptych of the perpetual virginity. His paper was in response to the position articulated by another theologian, which several academics also signed on to. There was a back and forth of papers on
virginitas in partu and the various footnotes would, of course, allow you to track the source material.
I remembered that part of all this exchange was done through the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars…but it was some years ago and, now that I am retired, I don’t go to the symposia the way I once did in younger years. I am afraid I don’t know if Arthur is still alive as I haven’t seen him in some time now…but then neither has he seen me, for that matter.
I don’t know how much is presently available directly on line from that exchange of scholarly papers, but try starting with the link below and this will get you going. I remember my position being slightly different from Monsignor’s on the topic of
virginitas in partu but not, as I recall, in any sense dramatically divergent. There are obviously also differing implications that depend upon how, precisely, the terms are being used and set forth. (It’s a topic also that does not come up typically in conversations with non-Mariologists.)
motherofallpeoples.com/2012/10/the-virginitas-in-partu-revisited/
Cardinal Müller addressed this particular aspect of Mariology in recent past but I am not sure if his comments are available in English or just in German. His remarks would, of course, be worth reading, if they are available in a language you read.
Father Ignace de la Potterie, of the Society of Jesus, is someone whose writings you would want to seek out. I used to use some of his translated writings with my own Mariology students.
Finally, I presume this is a project of your own research but in the interest of full disclosure, I know that before I retired, the CDF had issued a
monitum to the theological community relative to dissertation work on this topic and I believe it remains unmodified. That
monitum should, obviously, therefore be consulted and complied with before undertaking a major writing project.
I hope your research goes well. It is a most interesting topic. I would have been pleased to have lectured more extensively on it, as I always over-researched the course I taught and had more material at hand than what they required.
) of childbirth, which is held in a metaphysical sense to be a consequence of our fallen state (since she was without sin) - but that it would be appropriate for Jesus, fully human as He was, as well as fully divine, should be born by just as fully human a process as any other baby.