Day: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Date: August 15
Type: Solemnity, Holy Day of Obligation
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin has been believed and celebrated by the faithful since the birth of the Church. The first mention of this was in the 2nd and 3rd Centuries. However, this belief was dogmatically defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950. The Holy Father said it was Divinely revealed dogma. He said, "The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.." [Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus 44].
How does this differ from Christ's Ascension?
Christ ascended into heaven in His own power, because He is God. The Blessed Virgin was assumed into heaven in the power of Jesus, because of His great love for Mary. She who refused Him nothing from her conception to death would be with Him forever, body and soul.
How does this dogma affect our daily life of faith?
According to Pope Benedict XVI:
By contemplating Mary in heavenly glory, we understand that the earth is not the definitive homeland for us either, and that if we live with our gaze fixed on eternal goods we will one day share in this same glory and the earth will become more beautiful.
Consequently, we must not lose our serenity and peace even amid the thousands of daily difficulties. The luminous sign of Our Lady taken up into Heaven shines out even more brightly when sad shadows of suffering and violence seem to loom on the horizon.
We may be sure of it: from on high, Mary follows our footsteps with gentle concern, dispels the gloom in moments of darkness and distress, reassures us with her motherly hand.
Supported by awareness of this, let us continue confidently on our path of Christian commitment wherever Providence may lead us. Let us forge ahead in our lives under Mary's guidance [General Audience, August 16, 2006].
How to celebrate Assumption Day
First of all, remember, the Feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation. So get your family to Mass! If you don't do anything else on a Solemnity, get to Mass. Being in the True Presence of Jesus provides a special grace for your family that cannot be won any other way.
Here are some other great ideas:
1. Visit the Grotto at St. John's with your family. You can bring flowers for Mama Mary, prayer a decade of the Rosary, sing a hymn or just spend some moments talking about Our Blessed Mother.
2. Have a Marian Procession at your home. Little kids will love this! It doesn't have to be fancy and you don't have to have a great singing voice! Just get out there and process! (Short video here as an example: Marian Procession)
3. The Feast of the Assumption is a traditional day for the blessing of herbs, wheat, grapes, and flowers! Here's a great recipe to make with your kids called Assumpta Salad full of delicious herbs! Also, here are some prayers of blessings you can say over your garden, herbs, or flowers.
4. Finally, here is a special prayer you could add at bedtime or mealtime to point all our hearts towards our Blessed Mother:
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 the 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.
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