The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, 2010

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Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56

The cult of the saints developed gradually in the early Christian centuries. The earliest expressions of devotion to the saints were directed toward martyrs who had shed their blood for the faith. Later, confessors, virgins, and other ascetics gradually were included among those receiving special honor. During the Council of Ephesus in the year 431 the church gave a very special recognition to Mary stating that she is Theotokos – Mother of God. This proclamation, in a sense, has become a major force for the Church’s Marian devotion over the centuries.

Today’s feast of Mary, The Assumption of Mary, originated in Jerusalem in the fifth century and was originally called the “Dormition” (falling asleep) of the Virgin. The feast was universally observed by the end of the sixth century in the East and the seventh century in the West, where it came to be called the Assumption. On November 1, 1950, Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption as an article of our Catholic belief. He stated in his apostolic constitution of 1950, Munificentissimus deus, The Most Munificent God Apostolic Constitution the following:

“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.”

What is the meaning of this feast for us?

By accepting the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary we proclaim the belief that Mary has been taken up into heaven and therefore already uniquely participating in Christ’s resurrection. She is already enjoying the resurrection we hope for.

What it means is that the Mother of God enjoys now that which will be our destiny – fullness of life with God. She is a sign for us that the gift of Christ’s resurrection is attainable to each one of us.

The Preface for today’s Mass sums up very simply this belief of our church in the following words:

“Father, ….Today the virgin Mother of God was taken up into heaven to be the beginning and the pattern of the Church in its perfection, and a sign of hope and comfort for your people on their pilgrim way.”