The ASSUMPTION
of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
(† ca. 57 A.D.)

Anecdote 1: The “bowing Procession:” In a small town in the hills surrounding Rome, the Feast of the Assumption is celebrated with what’s called the "bowing procession." From one end of town, townspeople process carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary. From the other end of town, another group of townspeople march into town carrying a statue of Jesus. Mary’s Son comes to rendezvous with His Mother. In front of the parish church, the two groups meet. A ton of flowers decorates the church. Jesus and His Mother solemnly bow to each other. The villagers carry Mary and Her Son side by side into the church. It’s God the Son leading His Mother to her throne in heaven.

Tradition on Mary’s Assumption: The fact of Mary’s death is generally accepted by the Church Fathers and theologians and is expressly affirmed in the liturgy of the Church. Origen (died AD 253), St. Jerome (died AD 419) and St. Augustine (died AD 430), among others, argue that Mary’s death was not a punishment for sin, but only the result of her being a descendant of Adam and Eve. When Pope Pius XII made the proclamation on November 1, 1950, he put into words a belief held by the faithful for over 1500 years. Way back in AD 325 the Council of Nicea spoke of the Assumption of Mary. Writing in AD 457, the Bishop of Jerusalem said that when Mary’s tomb was opened, it was "found empty. The apostles judged her body had been taken into heaven.

Pope Pius XII based his declaration of the Assumption on both tradition and theology. The uninterrupted tradition in the Eastern Churches starting from the first century, the apocryphal first century book, Transitus Mariae, and the writings of the early Fathers of the church, such as St. Gregory and St John Damascene, supported and promoted the popular belief in the assumption of Mary. In his decree on the dogma of the Assumption, Pope Pius XII gives four theological reasons to support this traditional belief.

1: The degeneration or decay of the body after death is the result of original sin. However, since, through a special intervention of God, Mary was born without original sin, it is not proper that God would permit her body to degenerate in the tomb.

2: Since Mary was given the fullness of grace, heaven is the proper place for this sinless mother of Jesus.

3: Mary was our co-redeemer, or fellow-redeemer, with Christ in a unique sense. Hence her rightful place is with Christ our redeemer in heavenly glory. (The term Co-redeemer or Co-redemptrix, means "cooperator with the Redeemer.” This is what St. Paul meant when he said "We are God's co-workers" I Cor. 3:9.)

4: In the Old Testament we read that the prophet Elijah was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot. Thus, it appears natural and possible that the mother of Jesus would also be taken into heaven.

Messages:

1) Mary’s assumption gives us the assurance and hope of our own resurrection and assumption into heaven on the day of our Last Judgment.

2) Since Mary’s assumption was a reward for her saintly life, this feast reminds us that we too must be pure and holy in body and soul, since our bodies will be glorified on the day of our resurrection. St. Paul tells us that our bodies are the temples of God because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. He also reminds us that our bodies are also members (parts) of the Body of Christ.

3) This feast also gives us the message of total liberation. Jesus tells us in John 8: 34 that every one who sins is a slave of sin, and St. Paul reminds us (Gal. 5: 1) that, since Christ has set us free, we should be slaves of sin no more. Thus, the Assumption encourages us to work with God to be liberated from the bondage of evil: from impure, unjust and uncharitable thoughts and habits, and from the bonds of jealousy, envy and hatred.

4) Finally, it is always an inspiring thought in our moments of temptation and despair to remember that we have a powerful heavenly mother, constantly interceding for us before her son, Jesus, in heaven.

Therefore, on this feast day of our heavenly mother, let us offer ourselves on the altar and pray for her special care and loving protection in helping us lead a purer and holier life.

Humour of the Week

1) Miss Holycheek, the Catholic Sunday school teacher, had just finished explaining the feast of the Assumption to her class. "Now," she said, "let all those children who want to go to heaven to see their heavenly mother raise their hands." All the children raised their hands except little Marie in the front row. "Don't you want to go to heaven, Marie?" asked Miss Holycheek. "I can't," said Marie tearfully, "my mother told me to come straight home after the Sunday school."

2) God is walking around Heaven one day, and notices a number of people in the heavenly streets who shouldn't be there. He finds St. Peter at the gate and says to him, "Peter, you've been remiss in your duties. You're letting in the wrong sort of people."

"Don't blame me, Lord," replied Peter. "I turn them away just like you said to. Then they go around to the back door and your mother lets them in."

St. Bernard’s prayer: Memorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.