The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary


The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates her being taken up body and soul into heaven when her earthly title was finished. It first began to be celebrated as a feast day in the Eastern Church after the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431) proclaimed Mary the Mother of God. By the sixth century, the feast celebrated Mary’s Dormition, “her falling asleep”. The western church began to celebrate this feast around 650. The Church’s teaching on the Assumption was formally proclaimed a doctrine by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

In today’s society, many idolize sensuality, materialism, and self-indulgence. In contrast, the celebration of the feast of the Assumption Our Blessed Virgin Mary turns our eyes away from these temporary, earthly attachments and directs our focus on the dignity and destiny of our human body and the beauty and dignity of womanhood. It turns our eyes upon the true life which awaits us beyond the grave – eternal life.

May we take heart that one day our bodies and souls will be reunited with God after death.On her special feast day, let us ask Our Mother for the grace to keep our eyes fixed on her Son as we place our heart in hers, forever united with her, that we may be brought to the glory of the Resurrection.

Recommended Reading

The Holy Bible (Catholic)
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lumen Gentium
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Vatican II Munificentissimus Deus
Pope Pius XII Précis of Official Catholic Teaching on Marian Devotions and the Last Things
Introduction to Mary; Mark Miravalle; Queenship Publishing Company
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin by St. Louis De Montfort
The Secret of Mary by St. Louis De Montfort.
An Overview of the Life and Spirituality of Saint Louis De Montfort by Father Pat Gaffney.
Montfortian Total Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary. (This is a 40-day prayer consecrating oneself to Jesus through Mary.)
The Little Crown of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a morning prayer recommended by St. Louis De Montfort.
Methods for Saying the Rosary by St. Louis De Montfort
Mary Mystery of Mercy, Marie-Dominique Philippe, O.P.
Queen Mother: A Biblical Theology of Mary's Queenship, Edward Sri
Catholic for a Reason II: Scripture and the Mystery of the Mother of God; Scott Hahn (Editor) and Leon J. Suprenant, Jr (Author)
The Glories of Mary, St. Alphonsus de Liguori, Tan Books
Theotokos: Woman, Mother, Disciple, John Paul II, Pauline Books and Media
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori: Where is the Tomb of the Virgin Mary and what is its significance?

For more reading suggestions, don't miss Mary Moments: The Book Edition at Behold Your Mother.

Be sure to visit Esther, who has posted Fine Art Friday - Special Edition - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary .

Comments

  1. Thank you for the recommended reading. Looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jean, appreciate your post...I went to Our Lady of Lourdes to pray at a grotto which replicates the appearance at Lourdes, as well as mass at St. Catherine of Siena, my parish here in Kendall.

    God Bless you...

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.

Blog Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

The Spirituality and Miracles of St. Clare of Assisi

Saint Michael de Sanctis: Patron of Cancer Patients

Saint Gerard of Brogne: Patron of Abbots