[pgyanke]

Consider another picture of the situation... Why was it amazing to Mary that she would conceive (when she was already betrothed) and why would Joseph, a righteous man, not suspect something amiss when she became pregnant? As a righteous follower of the Law, he should have put her out for judgement.

Mary's story... as passed on by Catholic Tradition

Mary is the daughter of Sts Joachim and Anna, who had been childless. On a feast day, Joachim presented himself to offer sacrifice in the Temple, he was repulsed by a certain Ruben, under the pretext that men without offspring were unworthy to be admitted. Joachim, bowed down with grief, did not return home, but went into the mountains to complain to God in solitude. Also Anna, having learned the reason of the prolonged absence of her husband, cried to the Lord to take away from her the curse of sterility, promising to dedicate her child to the service of God. Their prayers were heard. An angel came to Anna and said: "Anna, the Lord has looked upon thy tears; thou shalt conceive and give birth and the fruit of thy womb shall be blessed by all the world". The angel made the same promise to Joachim, who returned to his wife. Anna gave birth to a daughter whom she called Mary.

When she was three years old, Mary was presented to the Temple by Joachim and Anna. It is said that she stood up and mounted the steps herself. When presented, she is said to have taken a vow of virginity in service to God.

When Mary was 14 years old, the High Priest intended to send her home to be married, as was custom. Mary reminded him of her vow of virginity. This presented a unique problem as she was well-regarded for her virtue. She could not remain in the Temple and yet needed a protector so the High Priest called together men of the family of David and looked for a sign from the Holy Spirit as to who should be chosen. Joseph's walking staff bloomed in their presence and she was betrothed to him.

From there, we know the rest of the story...

[metmom]

When she was three years old, Mary was presented to the Temple by Joachim and Anna. It is said that she stood up and mounted the steps herself. When presented, she is said to have taken a vow of virginity in service to God.

A THREE YEAR OLD who knows about sex and takes a vow of perpetual virginity?

For real?

It's amazing that people believe the nonsense in the Protoevangelium of James

[Elsie]

...as passed on by Catholic Tradition

I can agree with THIS part.

But Mary's story?

I'll need a wee bit more EVIDENCE than Rome's say so on the matter.

[Elsie]

Mary reminded him of her vow of virginity.

Oh?

She planned ahead of time to CHEAT Joseph out of his husband's rights??

[Elsie]

Joseph's walking staff bloomed in their presence and she was betrothed to him.

I
Must
Resist!

[ealgeone]

This stems from the Protoevangelium of James does it not?