YOUCAT: No. Jesus is the only son of Mary in the physical sense. [CCC 500, 510]
I volunteer at my parish in our middle school youth ministry, and at a recent youth night one of the teens asked if Jesus had any brothers. Great question!
Mary was a teen herself when she had Jesus, so it’s logical to think that she had more children, but that’s not the case. Although the Bible mentions, in different instances, that Jesus had brothers and sisters, they were not blood-related.
It’s like growing up in Hawaii, our close family or friends are like our brothers and sisters. Jesus is Mary’s only son, but as our spiritual mother, we are all her children, and Jesus is our brother — making us one big OHANA!
“For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” (Mt 12:50)
#YearofFaith Challenge: Do God’s will.
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry