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StephenBales
Guest
So this question stems from the film “Good Will Hunting,” with young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, Robin Williams, and a few others. If you haven’t seen it, and if you can ignore quite a bit of profanity and some sexual “humor,” it’s a really great movie. There was one part where Damon’s character Will is talking with Williams’s character Sean, his government mandated therapist in a plea deal of some sorts. They move to the topic of Shaun’s late wife, and Will asks him why he never remarried. Sean responds succinctly,
“My wife’s dead.” “Hence the word, remarry—” “She’s dead, Will.”
I thought this was a rather noble sentiment. Staying faithful to your wife even after death has bid you part. I know that remarrying after your spouse has died is perfectly licit—correct me if I’m wrong!—but is there anything in Catholic thought that honors this idea of staying single and celibate if your spouse dies?
EDIT: Relevant info: Sean didn’t have any kids, adult or otherwise. If he did have young kids, remarriage might have actually been necessary for the kids’ sake…
“My wife’s dead.” “Hence the word, remarry—” “She’s dead, Will.”
I thought this was a rather noble sentiment. Staying faithful to your wife even after death has bid you part. I know that remarrying after your spouse has died is perfectly licit—correct me if I’m wrong!—but is there anything in Catholic thought that honors this idea of staying single and celibate if your spouse dies?
EDIT: Relevant info: Sean didn’t have any kids, adult or otherwise. If he did have young kids, remarriage might have actually been necessary for the kids’ sake…
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