23 January: The Espousals of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Winter Constellation
The Church (who was both born and, largely, came of age north of the Equator) is not insensitive to the darkness and chill that pervades much of the North during the months of December, January, and February. Between 22 November, the feast of St Cecilia (the “Saint of Abandonment”) and 6 February (St Agatha), the skies of the long, dark nights are bedecked with the joyful stars of virgin martyrs. St Cecilia (22 Nov), St Bibiana (2 Dec), St Barbara (4 Dec), St Lucy (13 Dec), St Agnes (21 Jan), St Emerentiana (23 Jan), and St Agatha (6 Feb) join Mary, the Stella Matutina and the Stella Maris, the brightest Star in the sky who rises again and again, on the Immaculate Conception (8 December), the translation of the Holy House of Loreto (10 Dec), Our Lady of Guadalupe (12 Dec), the Christmas season (25 Dec – 13 Jan), the Finding in the Temple (19 Jan), the Espousals of Mary and Joseph (23 Jan), and the Purification (2 Feb). The Blessed Virgin Mary and her daughters enchant the darkness of the night sky, filling it with the chants of the Divine Praises, making Glorias resound to every man of good will.
23 January
Two rays of the stars listed above shine today, for today is the feast of St Emerentiana, thought to have been St Agnes’ foster sister, the same age of 13 years, sharer of her secrets, a catechumen martyred at the relics of her foster sister a mere two days after St Agnes, and thus baptised in her own blood.
Today is also celebrated as the anniversary of the Espousals of Mary and Joseph. Though perhaps less known than the other feasts on which the Blessed Virgin Mary’s virginal star shines radiantly, the Espousals deserve special attention, a special gaze of the eyes of a heart in love, for the Espousals shine a new and magnificent radiance upon these winter nights.
Today
Cum jucunditate Desponsationem beatae Mariae celebremus, ut ipsa pro nobis intercedat ad Dominum Jesus Christum.
With joy let us celebrate the espousal of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that she may intercede for us to the Lord Jesus Christ. -5th Antiphon for Lauds
Today is the true marriage, fruitful and virginal, of Mary and Joseph, which, according to Jewish custom, existed from the betrothal of the spouses.
Today the Virgin has a companion, admitted to heavenly secrets. Today Joseph is given as guardian of the virginity of Mary so that one day he may be protector to the Baby Jesus. Today the Woman has a man in whom her heart trusts. Today the spousal union of the family of the Lord is established. Today the purest union is enacted between man and woman since the fall, and it is as if man — male and female — was readmitted to the state of original union. Today the nest is formed for the Holy Son of the Holy Family. Today Mary and Joseph set forth in faith into world-changing adventures. Today the chaste bridegroom takes a chaste bride by a virginal covenant that will be supernaturally fruitful. Today Joseph rises and calls Mary blessed. Today his heart trusts in her. Today the union is formed through which the Son of God will be counted as son of David. Today a man gains the privilege of the union through which he will act as father to the God Who is the Son of God the Father in heaven. Today Providence is praised and magnified.
Much can be added to the praise of this day. And it seems that this feast is like an antidote to many of the wounds and vices that afflict us today, when marriage, virginity, innocence, and even the truth of masculinity and femininity, the goodness of their union, and the very goodness of humanity itself are questioned and attacked.
What glory would you add to this day, which seems so important to remember, especially to counter the errors and pitfalls of our age?
Give Mary and Joseph a Present
To commemorate the anniversary of the virginal marriage of our virginal Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary surely wants one gift especially. She wishes us to let her form Jesus in us, lead us to Jesus, exalt Jesus. Let us give her this permission today. Let us offer ourself to her masterly hands today to form and craft and shape and perfect Jesus in us and us for Jesus. Today let us be all Jesus’ through Mary.