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Views from the Choir Loft

Fruitful Virginity

Fr. David Friel · January 1, 2014

HE COLLECT for today’s solemnity contains a very beautiful phrase. Speaking about the Blessed Mother, the oration references her “fruitful virginity,” which is a rather interesting thing to say. (Notably, this phrase was overlooked entirely by the former translation of the missal.)

“Fruitful virginity” is the same as saying “Virgin Mother,” both of which appear to be oxymorons. An oxymoron is a combination of words that have opposite meanings. It doesn’t seem like the words “fruitful” and “virginity” could ever describe the same person. And yet, in Mary, they do.

That the Son of God was borne into this world through a Virgin should remind us a bit of the creation story. We say that God created the world ex nihilo. In much the same way, Mary conceives and bears a Son “out of nothing,” with the assistance of the Holy Spirit instead of a man.

There is another Old Testament passage that comes to mind, as well. In the Book of Exodus, chapter 3, we read about Moses on Mount Horeb, where God manifests Himself to Moses through a burning bush. Moses heard the voice of the Lord calling to him, and the voice came from the bush. So he took a closer look and noticed that, despite the flames, the bush, itself, was not being consumed.

If the bush had simply been burning, that would not have been remarkable. I’m sure that was a frequent sight out in the desert. But Moses rightly says this is a “remarkable sight” (Exodus 3:3), because the bush was on fire yet was not being consumed. That right there is an image of “fruitful virginity.” Without losing anything of itself, the bush that Moses saw brought forth flames and so served as an image of God, Who creates “out of nothing” and Mary, who conceives a Child as a Virgin.

Why is it important that Mary should display “fruitful virginity”? Because motherhood and virginity are the two glories of womanhood. In the natural order, there is no way for any woman to retain both throughout the entire course of her life. It is one or the other. The vocation to motherhood and the vocation to consecrated virginity are both beautiful, but both cannot subsist in one person at the same time. With Mary, however, it is not an either-or proposition. She is both Virgin and Mother. Thus, she can be a model for every woman.

Friends, “fruitful virginity” is not just a striking phrase; it is a description of the way we are all meant to live. Whether you’re a parent with ten children or a high school student or a celibate priest, all of us are called to bring forth life by our single-hearted devotion to God. We are called to bring forth Christ in our own words and actions and so draw Him out of those around us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, you brought forth for us our Savior, while still ever remaining a Virgin. Help us, also, to bring Jesus into this world, which longs so much for Him!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Roman Missal Third Edition, The Old ICEL Translation of the Mass Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
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    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
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Random Quote

Bishops have a duty towards both wise and foolish. They have to rouse the devotion of the carnal people with material ornament, since they are incapable of spiritual things.

— St. Bernard of Clairvaux (†1153)

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