Mary, the Unwedded Mother?

[Vico]

I am familiar with the reading.

He is not called “The Betrothed” in the West?

Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (Douay-Rheims)

Haydock Commentary:

The husband of Mary. The evangelist gives us rather the pedigree of S. Joseph, than that of the blessed Virgin, to conform to the custom of the Hebrews, who in their genealogies took no notice of women: but as they were near akin, the pedigree of the one sheweth that of the other.

Ch. — Joseph the husband of Mary. [3] So he is again called, v. 19: but in v. 18, we read, when Mary his mother was espoused to Joseph. These different expressions of being husband, and being espoused, have occasioned different interpretations. Some think that Joseph and the blessed Virgin were truly married at the time of Christ’s conception: others, that they were only then espoused, or engaged by a promise to marry afterwards. S. Jerom says, when you hear the name of husband, do not from thence imagine them to be married, but remember the custom of the Scriptures, according to which, they who are espoused only, are called husbands and wives.

Wi. — That Jesus, who is called Christ, was of the seed of David, is also evident, as S. Augustine affirms from various texts of the holy Scriptures, as in the epistle to the Romans, where S. Paul, (c. i.) speaking of the Son of God, says, who was made to Him of the seed of David, according to the flesh . See also the promises made to David, 2 K. vii. Ps. lxxxviii. and cxxxi. and spoken of Solomon, as a figure of Jesus Christ. E.

Footnote [3] V. 11. In transmigratione, επι της μετοικεσιας , i.e. circa tempus transmigrationis.

 

[ThatOneGuy92]

I am familiar with the reading.

He is not called “The Betrothed” in the West?

I am sure that he is somewhere. However, more common titles I’ve heard ascribed to him are “Foster-Father of Jesus”, “Guardian of the Holy Family”, etc.

 

[adrift]

The footnote on Matthew NAB

Betrothed to Joseph: betrothal was the first part of the marriage, constituting a man and woman as husband and wife. Subsequent infidelity was considered adultery. The betrothal was followed some months later by the husband’s taking his wife into his home, at which time normal married life began.

 

[Leegal]

Apparently a Jewish betrothal at that time was a year long, so if they were fairly recently betrothed when Jesus was conceived they would likely still have been betrothed when he was born, with a wedding a few months later. On the other hand they might have been betrothed for some time before the Annunciation, or perhaps they could have expedited the wedding (I don’t know if that was legally possible).

I don’t know what the fact that Mary went down to Bethlehem for the enrolement (and to later Egypt) with Joseph might imply, since betrothed couples do not live with each other. In any case, if Mary and Joseph eventually settled down and lived together raising Jesus in Nazareth as we commonly imagine then that would imply they did have a wedding ceremony at some point, even though the marriage was obviously never consummated.

The Catholic Encyclopedia says that when Mary was 12-14 years old when a search for a husband was made. A number of men appeared as candidates, but it was apparent that Joseph was God’s choice.

They were betrothed for 2 years; the events of the annunciation did not take place for another two years. Then Mary receives the Angel and it is announced that she will carry the Messiah.

Joseph has his doubts – they are still betrothed – but he has a dream and he is convinced not to put Mary away but to marry her. And scripture says he does marry her after the angel appears to him in the first dream.

At this point, and with a betrothal of 2 years already, there would seem to be no need to delay the marriage which had already been promised 2 years before. And if Mary was 12-14 years old at the earlier time of the betrothal, she may have been 16 at the time of conception and birth – even as old as 17 at the time of the birth.

Actually, Mary did not have to attend the enrollment or census. Joseph’s presence was only required. Mary went so as to not give birth while Joseph was away. Of course, the prophecy was that the Child would be born in Bethlehem. They then stayed in Bethlehem for 2 years when Joseph receives the second dream to flee.

I have no doubt that once the angel appeared in the first dream, convincing Joseph not to put Mary away, that the marriage went ahead then.

“And Joseph, rising from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.” (Matthew 1:19, 20, 24).

 

[Mickey]

It is also worth remembering that the Virgin is never referred to liturgically as a wife, only as a mother. Joseph, by contrast, was indeed betrothed to Mary, to become her husband. However, he is referred to by the Orthodox as “Joseph the Betrothed”, not “Joseph the Husband”. This distinction is quite significant, as it is yet another example of consistency with Christological doctrine. To call him Mary’s husband could invite confusion as to the true paternity of the Child, as well as cast doubt on the virginity of Mary. The hymnody associated with him on his feast day certainly warmly speaks of him as a righteous, pious and honourable man. God would not have chosen him as the betrothed of the woman He appointed to bear the Messiah if he was unworthy of the task. Joseph indeed fulfilled his responsibilities as guardian of both Jesus and His mother in a blameless and honourable way. However, theologically, the paternal contact between Joseph and Jesus cannot be compared on the same theological level as the relationship of the Mother of God with her Child.
monachos.net/forum/showthread.php?1674-St-Joseph-the-Betrothed/page2

 

[Mickey]

Thus we call Joseph, “the betrothed” to set him apart as the chosen protector of the Virgin Mary and her divine Child….
orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/01/11/sunday-after-nativity-joseph-the-betrothed/

 

[adrift]

The Catholic Encyclopedia says that when Mary was 12-14 years old when a search for a husband was made. A number of men appeared as candidates, but it was apparent that Joseph was God’s choice.

They were betrothed for 2 years; the events of the annunciation did not take place for another two years. Then Mary receives the Angel and it is announced that she will carry the Messiah.

Joseph has his doubts – they are still betrothed – but he has a dream and he is convinced not to put Mary away but to marry her. And scripture says he does marry her after the angel appears to him in the first dream.

At this point, and with a betrothal of 2 years already, there would seem to be no need to delay the marriage which had already been promised 2 years before. And if Mary was 12-14 years old at the earlier time of the betrothal, she may have been 16 at the time of conception and birth – even as old as 17 at the time of the birth.

Actually, Mary did not have to attend the enrollment or census. Joseph’s presence was only required. Mary went so as to not give birth while Joseph was away. Of course, the prophecy was that the Child would be born in Bethlehem. They then stayed in Bethlehem for 2 years when Joseph receives the second dream to flee.

I have no doubt that once the angel appeared in the first dream, convincing Joseph not to put Mary away, that the marriage went ahead then.

“And Joseph, rising from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife.” (Matthew 1:19, 20, 24).

I find this confusing. What is your speculation and what is from the Catholic Encyclopedia?

They were betrothed for 2 years; the events of the annunciation did not take place for another two years. Then Mary receives the Angel and it is announced that she will carry the Messiah.

What do you mean by the evenets of the annunciation? Are you saying that they were really betrothed for four years. This is very confusing.