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The Importance of the Virtue of Chastity for Young Women
by Mrs. Jeffrey M. Baker
Before we can discuss the importance of chastity we must discover what it is. According
to the dictionary;
Chastity n. 1. The state or quality of being chaste. 2. Virginity or celibacy.1
The first definition tells us little. The second definition is rather contradictory. Virginity
implies never having had congenital relations; Celibacy tell us about an ongoing course
of non action. Let us check further. We will check the definition of chaste.
Chaste adj. 1. Not guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse; virtuous. 2. Pure in character or
conduct; not indecent 3. Pure in artistic or literary style; simple.2
We find this information even less informative. Unlawful according to whose laws? The
state? The federal government? God? The church? Any or all of the foregoing? The
word virtuous is close to making the definition circular. The word ‘pure’ is used twice but
that word itself admits to many meanings.
With this in mind, I will attempt a better definition.
What is chastity? Well one thing it is not is pretending that God did not create us with a
sexual nature. For he has done just that. The way He chose for us to contribute to His
creation plan is to exercise that part of our being. The drive to reproduce is so
fundamental to our existence that we incorporate it in our definition of what constitutes
a living entity. That is why scripture says, "and God looked at everything he had made
and he found it very good."3
Who is more chaste? The young woman walking hand in hand with her mate, her belly
swollen with child proclaiming to the world that they have done IT at least once, for we
know of only one Virgin Birth in all of recorded history, or the bitter virgin watching and
thinking that there is something superior in not going about God’s work in populating the
world with His servants.
What is more chaste, to not accept an honest display of affection by my then betrothed
while in uniform or to find a secluded spot out of uniform to express my love for him?
Part of chastity is the public declaration that we are as one and are not ashamed of it.
For the bible says, "the two of them become one body."4
That is why marriage vows are
given in public. Part of my conduct this past week has been unchaste, for which I am
heart fully sorry. I have confessed and been given absolution. What I did was to accept
a true and virtuous proposal, then hide it from the world. I dishonored my now husband
and Our Lord’s plans for us, by attempting to secret it.
For those of you who do not realize what you have witnessed this past week and this
morning, let me explain, but first I ask my husband to join me at the lectern.
No, Mother Theresa, we are not going to scandalize the student body. I asked him to
join me; not join WITH me; that will come later in private. And rest assured, Mother
Theresa, when we express that sign of affection, I will not be in uniform, at least not a
school one.
Sunday, a week ago, my then boyfriend made a declaration of his love for me, later that
night he even called it a vow. I, in turn, made a vow of my own to him. The next morning
he being the perfect gentleman that he is, he presented me with two rings. (Hold up
hand to show rings)
That is when I committed my first great sin, Avarice. I allowed my greed to take over me
and asked for both rings instantly. You see, the second ring was a wedding band. The
same one which I now rightfully wear. I goaded my love into saying the “marriage
words.”
My next failing came when I decided to hide the ring from you, Mother Theresa. I should
have openly professed my commitment to my love, as you do, Sister, when you wear
the band on your finger as a commitment to Our Savior. In the future I will leave our
engagement ring at home but openly wear my wedding ring to school.
Is it unchaste for a young woman to fall in love with a young man? No, of course not.
God put things in us that make young men attractive to us and them to us; Their bodies
as well as their minds. To pretend that these thoughts and desires are somehow
unclean and make us impure, is to make a mockery of God’s handiwork.
For those of you who have not yet figured it out; this morning Jeff, my HUSBAND and I
exchanged our marriage vows here, according to the rites of Holy Mother the Church.
Might I suggest that you ask your religion teacher for extra credit for independent
research?
Today Father Tim wore white vestments as is traditional for a Nuptial Mass. A Mass at
which a man and woman pledge to each other their bodies. And as you can see I am
wearing white, the traditional symbol of purity. Was it impure for me to be anticipating
what will mostly assuredly happen later this day? If any bride or bridegroom does not
have the same anticipation, why do they approach the altar? For those who say we are
too young: Please read the first phrases the celebrant and the altar boys say. I quote,
“Introibo ad altare Dei,” “I go to the altar of God” “Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem
meam.” “To God, in the joy of my youth.”
I have some sage advice, from an old married woman, for the young women in
attendance this morning. Remember chastity does not mean you are to pretend to be
sexless, but it does demand that you use that gift properly. Do not even contemplate
using your sexuality to prove your power and control over your potential mates. I call
that my no-teasing-to-prove-power Rule.
In conclusion, all I ask is that those present consider the true meaning of chastity to
young women and young men, I might add, and act accordingly.
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FOOTNOTES
1Webster’s Home and School Dictionary, page 103
2Ibid, page 102
3New American Catholic Edition of The Holy Bible, Genesis 1:31
4Ibid, Genesis 2:24
New American Catholic Edition of The Holy Bible
Copyright 1950,1958 by Benziger Brothers, Inc.
New York - Boston - Cincinnati - Chicago - San Francisco
Webster’s Home and School Dictionary
Copyright 1948, 1956 Scholastic Publishers, Inc.
New York - Saint Louis - San Francisco
© Copyright 2004 Saint George all rights reserved.
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