Dear friends in Christ
This year we have the opportunity to celebrate the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Sunday. Since the fifth century, the church has held implicitly the belief in the Assumption of the Blessed Mother; body and soul, into Heaven. It can be deduced from the Liturgy, from pious documents and the writings of the Fathers and the Doctors of the Church. Popular piety and art have frequently depicted Mary in the midst of clouds carried aloft by the Angels. Saint Thomas Aquinas sees, in these angelic interventions on behalf of those who have left the earth and are already on the way to heaven, a manifestation of the reverence the angels and all creatures render the glorified body of Mary. The Preface for the Mass of this Day summarises the dogma of Mary’s Assumption:
For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people; rightly you would not allow her to see the corruption of the tomb since from her own body she marvellously brought forth your incarnate Son, the Author of all life.
The Assumption of Mary is a wonderful reminder of our own resurrection. It is made possible through Christ rising from the dead. Today on this Solemnity, our prayers are full of confidence. Our advocate rose up to heaven, so she will arrange for our salvation as Mother of the Judge, the Mother of Mercy (St Bernard). One day, if we are faithful, we will contemplate Jesus and Mary whom we have invoked so many times in this life. Wishing you every blessing on this most lovely of Mary’s feast days!
Msgr Kevin Hale