Pope Francis gave this description of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, which was celebrate at Mass this morning: “At the conclusion of Her earthly life, the Mother of Christ was raised in soul and body to Heaven, that is, in the glory of eternal life, in the full communion with God.” In the Assumption of Mary, the Church celebrates one of the most important feasts dedicated to the Blessed Mother. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes the Assumption this way: “The Immaculate Virgin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of death.”
As we reflect on the Assumption of Mary today, we can reflect on own reality as well as disciples of Christ. Just as Mary is now united with Jesus in heaven body and soul, we have the hope of our faith that one day we will enter eternal life with God as well. The Assumption of Mary into heaven does not mean that she is distant or removed from us. Just as Mary’s Assumption brings us the hope of the resurrection, we are also assured that as our Mother and the Mother of the Church, Mary is always there with us in her intercession and in her prayers. She accompanies us on our journey, she is with us in our joys and in our sufferings, and she shares the hope of our faith with us.
Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church in 1950. However, this was not a new belief he was declaring, but rather an ancient belief of the faithful that became officially doctrine in the church. According to Piux XII, the declaration of the dogma was to “make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and render it more effective.”
One of the ancient names for Mary that has been used by Church Father such as St Jerome, St Bernard of Clairvaux and St Isidore of Seville is Mary as the Star of the Sea, Stella Maris. Just as mariners and sailers used the stars to help them find directions, St Bernard described Mary as the Star of the Sea in this way: “When you find yourself tossed by the raging storms on this great sea of life, far from land, keep your eyes fixed on this Star to avoid disaster. When the winds of temptation or the rocks of tribulation threaten, look up to the Star, call upon Mary!” I love the ancient Hymn Ave Stella Maris which celebrates Mary under this title. The different names we have for Mary and the different attributes we ascribe to her show how much love and devotion we the faithful have for her.
Our celebration of Mary today is a reflection of the love and devotion we have to our Blessed Mother. As Elizabeth was honored to be in the presence of the Mother of our Lord when Mary visited her, let us give honor to Mary as we are in her presence as well. Let us praise Mary today with a Hail Mary: 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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