[jagusafr]

Good answer, and thanks. I still have trouble with why it’s important that Mary be an eternal virgin. As I mentioned, it doesn’t affect her participation in Christ’s immaculate birth one teeny bit, and she’s important only because He’s important, IMHO.

[AnAmericanMother]

Well, let me put it this way: SHE is important because HE is important, and HE makes HER important because God Incarnate deserves a spotless home for nine months (and the years of his childhood) - spotless always, both before AND after.

Anything that has been used for the holy and honored should be ever after kept separate. We don't use communion chalices for drinking anything else -- even after communion is over, even if the church is closed and they go into storage. In a more general vein, you would never fly the flag placed over your veteran grandfather's casket again -- you would put it in a special case and put it in a place of honor in the living room with his medals.