Who, next to Mary, was more beloved of Jesus Christ than St. Joseph? Who had a greater share in His divine caresses? But he was a virgin, and the guardian of Mary's virginity. Amongst the apostles, all of whom were honored with Our Lord's predilection, there was one who deserved to be called, and who in reality was, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." It was he who had made himself more perfect in purity. St. John, at the Last Supper, with the unreserved confidence of a friend, lays his head on the bosom of Jesus, and freely questions Him, when St. Peter himself dared not speak, and the secrets of heaven were then revealed to him; but all these favors were the reward of his virginity.
Virgo permansit, et ideo plus amatur a Domino. (St. Hier.) For this, also, did Jesus dying commend to him His Blessed Mother. Ma- trem virginem virgini commendavit. (Ib.) As it were to signify that the loss of a Son, who is God, could be compensated for (if compensation were possible) only by the adoption of a son who was a virgin.
The Spouse of virgins ever conferred special privileges on those who were more remarkable for this virtue. St. Bernard, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Louis Gonzaga, St. Stanislaus, led on earth the life of angels. But the prerogatives of this heavenly virtue are not limited to this present life.
Amongst all the elect, says St. John, those alone will be chosen to compose the cortege of the Lamb on whose brow will shine the halo of virginity. They will follow Him whithersoever He shall go; and they will sing a hymn which virgins only will be permitted to sing. For them there will be joys distinct from those of all the other saints.
Link (here) to the quote by Fr. Pierre Chaignon, S.J. from his book entitled, Meditations for the use of the Secular Clergy.
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