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Question
Hello Father,and thank you.
I wanted to know why virginity is not a sacrament,while marriage is.(I know that marriage is great,good and necessary,and that celibacy is greater and better)
I did some research but the results were not understandable.
again I thank you Father.
Hi, Farnaz:
That is a good question... I can't say that I have ever thought of the matter in precisely the terms you ask.
Perhaps there is a sense in which Marriage is a Sacrament as a pledge of a future glory in the resurrection... this is not to say that we are married in the resurrection of the dead: for Jesus Himself tells us that nobody will be. Marriage as a Sacrament is an outward "sign" of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb, the Bridgroom Jesus Christ, with His Bride, the Church. Marriage is only for this world, and does not endure... what will endure is the chaste spousal relationship between God and His People who are redeemed and justified in the Blood of the Lamb.
Did you know that the word "celibacy" comes from a Latin word,"caelibatus" that contains the word "heaven"? (Caeli)
In this sense, it begins the fulfillment of the Kingdom here-and-now, in some sense, in this world. Chaste celibacy is the life of the individual soul in its single-minded devotion to God through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, in the Church. It is for eternity, and does not pass away. For this reason St. Paul tells us that it is better to be celibate, as it is a manner of grasping something of the fullness of salvation within the passing things of the world. "Today is the day of salvation!"; and "This world as we know it is passing away."
I hope this is helpful.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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