Was Joseph a virgin or widower?

[typewriterman]

I’ve read on this website that Joseph, husband of Mary may have been a widower with children or he could have been a virgin. If he was a widower with children, then Mk:3 and other verses could be easily explained without having to go into ancient Greek or Aramaic distinguishing Jesus’ brothers and sisters as close relatives. I think we as Catholics are free to believe either: widower or virgin. Of course, Mary is ever virgin, but does anyone know any decisive work about Joseph?

 

[1ke]

We simply do not know.

 

[CDB1718]

It is the Eastern tradition that he was an older widower, which is based on the Protoevangelium of James.
newadvent.org/fathers/0847.htm

 

[Joe_Kelley]

There is ancient tradition that Joseph was an old man. See for example The Cherry Tree Carol. which is over 600 years old,

When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee
He courted Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee

It would be highly unusual at that time for an old man not to have been previously married.

However, there is no official teaching on this.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

There is a strong Catholic tradition that Joseph was a perpetual virgin like his spouse:

The article in the link addresses the Protoevangelium which in the Eastern Church has much regard: the main source of this apocryphal tale of St. Joseph being a wizened old octogenarian (with children yet) There are so many difficulties with this legend, yet it did serve a purpose in its day. It was to emphasise the fact that Joseph never did (or was able) to violate his spouse.