The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and it is a holy day of obligation. This is the day when Our Lady was assumed into heaven, body and soul, because of her purity, lack of Original Sin, and grace of God that accompanied Her throughout Her life. The reason why we call Mary’s entrance into heaven the Assumption while Jesus’s is known as the Ascension is because the word Assumption is derived from the Latin word “assumptio,” which is a passive verb meaning “the action of being taken up.” The word Ascension is from the Latin “ascendere,” an active verb meaning “to go up.” Mary was passive in her Assumption since She could not do it on Her own but only by the power of God. Jesus ascended into heaven under His own power.

It has often been debated whether Mary actually underwent death and the Church has not declared a dogma on the matter; however, Pius XII, in declaring the dogma of the Assumption, did give an account of the theological tradition that holds that in keeping with the example of Her Son, Mary died and was raised by God from the dead. She wishes to be like Her Son in all things and be so united to Him that She follows in His footsteps throughout life and even in death. In dying Herself, Mary also shows us how to die well, remaining in union with Her Son until death and always keeping our focus on Him. We should always call on Mary at the hour of our own death, asking for Her intercession and that She remain with us and accompany us to our heavenly home to be with Christ.

The Assumption of Mary points to Her absolute perfect nature, being without sin, and the fact that She is thus God’s masterpiece and so is solely deserving of the privilege to be in heaven with both her body and soul, along with Jesus. Although the rest of us are all born with Original Sin and so will not be assumed into heaven body and soul when we die like Mary, we can use Her example to strive after perfection and live out the virtues and commandments as best as we can and if we stick close to Her and ask Her to help us grow in holiness and in relationship with Her Son, She will surely make sure that we arrive safely at the gates of heaven at the end of our life. The Assumption is such an important holy day for Catholics because Christ willed us to honor His Mother because of Her perfection and we are venerating Her entrance into heaven because She is our Mother as well and we wish to follow Her example.

Don’t forget to attend Mass today and have a blessed Solemnity of the Assumption. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!