Feast of the Assumption of Mary - August 15

This Saturday - August 15 - is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven. The Assumption is the main celebration of Mary's life and ministry.

We have no real knowledge of the day, year, and manner of Our Lady's death. The dates which have been assigned to her death vary between three and fifteen years after Christ's Ascension. Both Jerusalem and Ephesus claim to be the place where she died. (By tradition, Mary lived at Ephesus after the death of Jesus.) Mary's tomb was presumably found in Jerusalem. It is believed that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that after her burial, her tomb, when opened, was found empty. Therefore, they concluded that her body had been taken up (assumed) into heaven.

There is an important difference, of course, between the ascension of Jesus into Heaven after His Resurrection, and the assumption of Mary. To ascend is to rise up under one's own power (Jesus ascended into heaven); while to be assumed means something that is done to someone. Jesus, being fully God (as well as being fully human) had no need of assistance; whereas Mary, being fully human, did not have this power.

The Feast of the Assumption has always been loved dearly by Christians. Through Mary, Jesus our saviour came into our world.

Mary’s Assumption is also a source of great hope for us. Someday, with God’s grace, and through trying to imitate Mary’s self-sacrificing love and compassion, indestructible faith and perfect obedience, we too may join her in heaven. For Christians, death is not extinction… where Mary now is, we are meant eventually to be. God loves us and yearns for us to join Mary, and all the saints in heaven.

'May we see heaven as our goal and come to share her glory'.

All of Mary's roles - Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Lady of Sorrows - are tied in with her position in heaven, guiding, watching, and caring for us - God's children.

What an honour it is for us to call Mary, the very first saint, the patron of our Parish and our School.

Prayer for the Assumption of Mary

Father in heaven,

all creation rightly gives You praise,

for all life and all holiness come from You.

In the plan of your wisdom

she who bore Christ in her womb

was raised body and soul in glory

to be with Him in heaven.

May we follow her example

in reflecting your holiness

and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

"Blessed is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled."