Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven (often shortened to the Assumption) is the celebration of the bodily taking up of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. This feast was celebrated in the liturgy of the Eastern World from the sixth century and in Rome from the seventh century.  Pope Pius X defined the dogma of the Assumption on November 1st, 1950, solemnly proclaiming the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly career, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles.

The first reading is from the Book of Revelation (11:19; 12:1-6.10).  In it we hear of a “woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown.”

The second reading is from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (15:20-27).  St Paul reminds us that “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of all those who have fallen asleep” and that all “will be brought to life in Christ.”

In the Gospel from Luke (1:36-56) we hear the account of Mary’s visitation to Elizabeth and her great song of praise “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour; because he has looked on his lowly handmaid.  Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.”