Celebrated on August 15th every year, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates our Blessed Mother's assumption into Heaven, body and soul. Since the fifth century, the Church has taught that Mary was "assumed," or drawn up into heaven by God the Father.
Not to be confused with the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, body and soul, which is celebrated 40 days after Easter each year, the Solemnity of the Assumption honors Mary's profound holiness, having been preserved from the stain of original sin.
Though the solemn feast falls on a Thursday this year, the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation and parishes across the world will be offering Masses for the faithful. Whether you find yourself in the Archdiocese of Denver or on vacation before school starts anew, there is a Mass for you! Be sure to use the Archdiocese's Parish Locator and/or masstimes.org to find the Mass that works best for you!
Though only alluded to in Sacred Scripture, the August feast day is steeped in the rich tradition of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reflects:
“…The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, 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 the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians: In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death” (CCC 966).
Through her Assumption into heaven, our Blessed Mother was brought into ever closer union with Jesus, her Son and our Savior. At his side in heaven, she prays for her children. What a blessed gift! Her powerful intercession is a profound source of hope for Christians who turn to her. At the closing Mass for World Youth Day 1993 in Denver, Pope St. John Paul II preached:
“At her Assumption, Mary was ‘taken up to Life’ – body and soul. She is already a part of “the first fruits” (1 Cor 15:20) of our Savior’s redemptive Death and Resurrection. The Son took his human life from her; in return he gave her the fullness of communion in Divine Life. She is the only other being in whom the mystery has already been completely accomplished. In Mary the final victory of Life over death is already a reality. And, as the Second Vatican Council teaches: ‘In the most holy Virgin the Church has already reached the perfection whereby she exists without spot or wrinkle’ (Lumen gentium, 65). In and through the Church we too have hope of “an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us’” (Cfr. 1 Pet 1:4).
As we prepare to celebrate this great feast day honoring our heavenly mother, we have great cause for rejoicing. St. Bernard of Clairvaux said as much:
“What reasons for rejoicing, what motives for exultation have we on this most beautiful day! The presence of Mary illumines the entire world so that even the holy city above has now a more dazzling splendor from the light of this virginal Lamp.”
May Mary's prayers and examples illumine our hearts and bring us ever closer to Jesus, our Savior! Join faithful from around the world at Mass this Thursday, and consider praying this prayer attributed to St. Paul VI for the celebration of the Assumption. O Immaculate Mary, Assumed into heaven,
you who are most blessed in the vision of God:
of God the Father who exalted you among all creatures,
of God the Son who willed that you bear Him as your Son and that you should be His Mother,
of God the Holy Spirit who accomplished the human conception of the Savior in you.
O Mary, most pure
O Mary, most sweet and beautiful
O Mary, strong and thoughtful woman
O Mary, poor and sorrowful
O Mary, virgin and mother
woman very human like Eve, more than Eve.
You are near to God by your grace and by your privileges
in your mysteries
in your mission, in your glory.
O Mary, assumed into the glory of Christ
in the complete and transfigured perfection of our human nature.
O Mary, gate of heaven
mirror of divine light
ark of the Covenant between God and mankind,
let our souls fly after you
let them fly long your radiant path,
transported by a hope that the world does not contain eternal beatitude.
Comfort us from heaven, O merciful Mother,
and guide us along your ways of purity and hope
till the day of that blessed meeting with you
and with your divine Son
our Savior, Jesus. Amen!
