The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The origin of this well-known Marian feast has its roots in the 4th Century as a bishop, St. Epiphanius, had studied the Blessed Mother’s death, and believed she did not die, but was recalled to heaven. From the middle of the 5th Century, the Commemoration of the Mother of God was celebrated on August 15 in a shrine near Jerusalem. The feast was introduced to Rome in the 8th Century by Pope Sergius and spread rapidly throughout Western Europe. Pope Hadrian declared this Feast Day the Assumption of Mary towards the end of the 8th Century. On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the words “Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”
The words of the Collect, or Opening Prayer, for the Feast of the Assumption convey both the dogma, and a hope-filled promise to seekers of eternal life: “All powerful and ever living God, you raised the sinless Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, body and soul to the glory of heaven. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who loves and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.” We all know God has created us through His Word, Jesus, the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. During the pilgrimage, which is earthly life, we possess a temporary status, as our present life is not the pinnacle of life. God has made us for Himself and rejoices when His incredibly beloved sons and daughters are with Him, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the blessed Mother and all the saints, including all the souls in heaven. We are pilgrims who desire our heavenly homeland. Mother Mary, Immaculate Virgin and Mother of God, is our mother too. While none of us is the Immaculate Conception, each of us is well equipped with graces to be judged worthy of the heavenly homeland and then share in our Blessed Mother’s glory.
Peace, love and blessings.
Father Mike