Was Mary sinless and "ever-virgin"?

[frank_7576]

I recently heard my parish priest make reference to the sinlessness of Mary. I thought only Jesus was sinless…? Were they both sinless and Jesus’ distinction is in his being the only God-man? Is the reference for Mary’s sinless life Luke 1:28 “…full of grace…”? Please explain.

Also, I heard a Catholic prayer referring to Mary, “the ever-virgin”. Does this imply and does the church believe Mary never consumated her marriage with Joseph? In Matt 1:25, Joseph took Mary as his wife, “but knew her not” until she had given birth…" To me that’s Matthew making clear that Jesus was not the biological son of Joseph. This verse also seems to imply consumation of their marriage at some point after Christ’s birth. Am I reading this wrong?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

frank_7576,

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching of Mary’s sinless nature and her perpetual virginity. Additionally included are several links addressing doctrines that are not explicitly stated in the Bible as well as the importance of oral Tradition. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

Recommended Reading re: Mary’s sinlessness:
%between%Mary: Full of Grace
%between%Immaculate Conception and Assumption
When did the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption become dogmas?
Are there Bible verses that support Mary’s sinlessness?
About Mary…where in the Bible does it say…
Mary’s Sinless Nature

Recommended Reading re: Mary being “Ever-Virgin”:
Mary: Ever Virgin
Doesn’t Scripture imply that Mary had children other than Jesus?
Perpetual Virginity: Why is this important?

Why should any doctrine not explicitly referred to in the Bible, be listened to?
[
How can we know a doctrine is true if it’s not in the Bible?]("http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=169762"How do you respond to “Everything you need to know is in the Bible”?[/URL)

Does Church Tradtion exist only to interpret Scripture?
Non-Canonical Writings…
Oral Traditions not found in the Bible