What do you think of older women marrying?  By "older," I mean women who are past their childbearing years.  Of course, the Church permits such unions, but do you think they are advisable?  Does it matter whether the woman is a widow or not?  Does it matter the age of the man?

I ask because if a woman is past her childbearing years, it would seem the primary end of marriage will not (barring a miracle) be accomplished, and both parties know this from the start.

St Paul says that it is better for widows to remain as they are.  

Unity is the second reason for marriage.  So I say it's okay as long as the elderly woman is a widow or a never-married.  

If the widow has children, I would say it is incuмbent on her to marry as soon as she can for the sake of the children. Of course, I am assuming our widow has dependent children. A widow with, let us say, a married son in his thirties (who could and ought to support her), three married daughters and a son who is a priest would not have that difficulty.

Sadly it is such a problem that we as traditional Catholics are not as supportive of widows as we could be. I would include myself in this, I know that I've never really done much to help widows. Also, unfortunately, I know of cases where women have been abandoned by their husbands and have been left to care for a whole family on their own. They are almost like widows, too, and they can't remarry, so they are also in need of support.

Wow. This has really been eye opening, I guess I've been skimming over that part when I read Catholic books!

Widowhood is a very respectful calling.

Parishes should help take care of them, take up collections for them, help in every way. Like it used to be.

From what I've read, of the saints I've read recommend widows stay widows and not remarry, but it is not forbidden. I haven't read too much on the subject. Here are some quotes on widows.


'I consider it useless to speak to women advanced in years, and who, nevertheless are thinking of a second marriage. Could any words of mine convince them, when neither years, nor age, nor experience has been able to make them forego their purpose? Hence, I speak to young widows. We go on cheerfully with an enterprise whose beginnings have been favorable; but if we fail at the outset, we give up everything. Therefore, a young widow, it seems to me, ought to be all the further from a second marriage, because she has known sorrow and widowhood so early in life. In remaining a widow, she is sure of her future, and protects herself against similar misfortunes. Though the state of widowhood is the same for all widows, the rewards differ widely, and are more brilliant for some than for others. The widow who, while yet young, undergoes the yoke of continence, deserves more honor and glory than another who takes up the practice only in her old age.'

St. John Chrysostom

'Alas! They allege, as reason for their marriage, the very thing that ought to prevent them from doing so; for, by her second marriage, the widow places over her children, not a father who will provide for them, but an enemy. If you have children, why marry again? And if you have none, does not experience teach you to fear a like barrenness in the future?'

St. Jerome