The Feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15, holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics all over the world. This day commemorates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, body and soul
The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady, having started in the Early Church. The Assumption refers to the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is taken up into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Unlike other saints who experience bodily death and await the resurrection, Mary’s Assumption signifies her being taken directly into heaven.
The Assumption of Mary holds significant theological importance. It highlights Mary’s unique role in salvation history as the mother of Jesus and as the first disciple. Mary’s Assumption points the Catholic faithful to the promise of our own resurrection and the hope of eternal life with God. It is a sign of the victory over sin and death, reminding us of the ultimate destiny that awaits all faithful Christians.
As I have been sharing with you, even though the Dogma of the Assumption was declared by Pope Pius XII in 1950, it reflects not only a belief that was present in the early Church, but it also reflects the love and devotion that the faithful have always had for our mother Mary. It is easy to get caught up in the technical details about our feast days, but we cannot forget the love of our faith and the love we have for Mary, and the way that Mary always points us to her son.
The hymn that Mary sings in the Magnificat in the Gospel of Luke in response to her visit and greeting with her cousin Elizabeth displays Mary’s great sense of love, faithfulness, justice, and compassion. Let us lift up our prayers to Mary today on this great feast day as we pray the Hail Mary together:
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
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