15 August 2010: Solemnity -- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This feast was celebrated in the liturgy of the Eastern World from the 6th century; in Rome, from the 7th century.

On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII in “Munificentissimus Deus”, defining the dogma of the Assumption, solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly mission, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, is truly part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles.

This feast confirms us in the theological virtue of hope whereby we seek our sanctification and that of others amidst our ordinary duties as we are encouraged to look at our goal in heaven.

Ref: Fr James Socias, et al (Eds), “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1606

Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption

Our Lady’s death (dormition) was a privileged one, and so was her resurrection. St John Damascene relates it from tradition, and the revelations of St Bridget confirm it. The Apostles were miraculously brought to Jerusalem at the time of Our Lady’s death, and they buried her body in Gethsemane, in a new sepulchre.

St Thomas arrived afterwards. At his plea the Apostles opened the grave, but found only the winding-sheet and lilies. Thus they concluded that Jesus, desiring not to delay in glorifying his Mother, had raised her up, and angels brought her to be associated in body and soul with him in heavenly joy and glory.

Let us rejoice in the glorious resurrection of our dearest Mother. Let us rejoice in union with the angels, with the Church, and with all her devout children. Let us rejoice, also, for ourselves at the thought of our own joyful resurrection. It will not immediately follow our death; but it is not less certain nor less glorious.

‘Mary is assumed into heaven.’ Let us meditate on what St Anselm and St Bernard say of this great mystery -- The legions of angels who came from heaven and bowed low before the Virgin Mother, then reverently raised her into the heavenly regions.

Millions of the blessed in Paradise went before her and cried out, astonished at her divine beauty: ‘Who is this that comes up from the desert flowing with delights?’

Mary triumphantly entered heaven, received and conducted by her Divine Son to the Eternal Father’s throne, amidst acclamations of angels and saints: ‘Hosanna, glory and honor to the daughter of David! Blessed be she who comes to us like a queen, in the name of the Lord!’

The honors and joys of a mother are also those of her children. Let us be filled with holy joy on this feast of our beloved Mother’s assumption and glorious entrance into heaven. Let us remember she was raised so high because she was the humblest of all creatures; she enjoys all this felicity because she was the ‘Queen of martyrs’.

The coronation of Mary, as queen of heaven and earth, completes the glorious mystery of this day. Let us imagine the Virgin Mother at the feet of the Eternal Father who places the crown on her head, the sceptre in her hand, and proclaims her queen of angels and of men, dispenser of his grace, mother of mercy.

Imagine we hear the joyful cries from heaven, ‘Hosanna, glory and honor to our queen! Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy! Reign over us, thou and thy Divine Son!’

Let us unite ourselves in heart and mind with the inhabitants of the Church triumphant. Let us repeat with holy enthusiasm these same expressions of joy and jubilation, declarations of love and devotion.

Then, reflecting that she is nearest to Jesus in glory because she followed him the most closely on the day of his Passion, let us offer ourselves to bear our cross generously with Jesus, to carry it even to the heights of Calvary, and to die with Jesus on the cross.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp519-21

The Glory of Mary Assumed into Heaven

First aspect of this Assumption is the Visitation. On the threshold of the home of Zachary and Elizabeth, Mary spoke a sentence which concerned the beginning of the mystery of the Redemption. The whole of the ‘Magnificat’ becomes the hymn of Mary’s assumption into heaven.

Second aspect: The Assumption of the Mother of Christ into heaven forms part of the victory over death, of that victory, the beginning of which is found in the Resurrection of Christ.

At the very heart of the Redemption achieved by the Cross at Calvary, in the very power of the Redemption revealed in the Resurrection, the source is found at that victory over death experienced by the Mother of the Redeemer, that is to say, her assumption into heaven.

Third aspect: the daughter of the King, garbed in precious fabrics, enters to take her place by the throne of the king. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, is the first to participate in this reign of glory and union with God in eternity. This is what is expressed by the mystery of her assumption into heaven, with her soul and her body.

Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, p293

Our Lady’s Assumption, hope of our own glorious resurrection

Mary‘s Assumption is a wonderful sign of our own resurrection made possible through Christ’s rising from the dead. He will refashion the body of our lowliness, and conform it to the body of his glory. (cf Phil 3:21)

“Our Advocate rose up to heaven. She will arrange for our salvation as Mother of the Judge, the Mother of Mercy.” (St Bernard, “Homily on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary”) She continually strengthens our hope. "... The most Holy Virgin is not only our example: She is also ‘Help of Christians’. In light of our petition -- ‘Show us that you are our Mother’”(“Liturgical Hymn ‘Ave Maris Stella’” [In “Handbook of Prayers", Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), 1988, p368]) -- “she could not, nor would she ever, deprive her children of her motherly care.”

“‘Cor Mariae Dulcissimum, iter para tutum.’ ‘Most Sweet Heart of Mary, prepare a safe way for your own.’ Guide our steps on earth with strength and security in our path. Become for us the path we are to follow, since you know the way, a sure short-cut that leads through love of you, to the love of Jesus Christ.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 177-8)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:94-5

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. This feast was instituted, according to St Bernard, in the time of the apostles. — St. Bernard, Ep. 174. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar); (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)

Assumption of Mary. Instituted by Pope Leo IV, 847. ("Repose" on the Orthodox calendar.) (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm);(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

Our Lady of Acheropita / 'Ferragosto'. São Paulo; Rossano, Italy. 1140. Cathedral of Rossano is home of Byzantine-style fresco "Madonna acheropita" ("Madonna not made by hands"). Sofferetti News: "Mary who speaks and wants immediately to stamp her beauty of love on each one of us in order to make everyone of us, not only an Acheropita in a drawing, but the True Acheropita radiant with Love for God and for all humanity.

This she wants and this she comes to do with us: to make us into her image, her icon, her Living Achiropita." "Acheropita" (var: "Achiropita"; dimunitive: "Achi") of Greek origin, reflecting the Byzantine Empire's control of Rossano during much of the first Century AD.

Ref: www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm

Our Lady of the Kings (Granada, Spain). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
Feast of Our Lady of the Divine Will. (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
Mary and Joseph appear to St Teresa of Ávila. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

Holy Heart of Mary. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html). Moveable feast-- Sunday before August 22 [15 August 2010].