The meaning of the celebration
+ On this day, the Church solemnly celebrates the Paschal mystery of Christ in a special way as she recalls the unique relationship between the Virgin Mary and her Son and the truth that, at the completion of her earthly life, Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul.
+ the Church solemnly celebrates the Paschal mystery of Christ in a special way as she recalls the unique relationship between the Virgin Mary and her Son and the truth that, at the completion of her earthly life, Mary was taken into heaven, body and soul.
+ The Solemnity of the Assumption is the celebration of the eternal happiness and glory that all the faithful are called to share and which we believe will be ours in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Spiritual bonus
August 15 also marks the feast of Our Lady of La Vang, the name given to an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1798 to a group of Vietnamese Catholics who had taken refuge in the rainforest of La Vang in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. Although the apparition has not been approved by the Holy See, the comfort and encouragement Our Lady provided during the apparition has become a source of great courage and consolation for Vietnamese Catholics throughout the world.
For reflection
“Like Mary, our Mother, we are called to share fully in the Lord’s victory over sin and death, and to reign with him in his eternal Kingdom. This is our vocation.”—Pope Francis
Vocations
Several communities of men and women religious are named for the mystery of the Assumption. To learn more, visit the links below.
For men
The Benedictine Monks of Assumption Abbey (Richardton, ND): www.assumptionabbey.com
The Trappist Monks of Assumption Abbey (Ava, MO): www.assumptionabbey.org
The Assumptionists (Augustinians of the Assumption): www.assumption.us
For women
Religious of the Assumption: www.assumptionsisters.org
Little Sisters of the Assumption: www.littlesisters.org
Carmel of the Assumption (Latrobe, PA): www.latrobecarmel.org
Prayer
Almighty ever-living God,
who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son,
body and soul into heavenly glory,
grant, we pray,
that, always attentive to the things that are above,
we may merit to be sharers of her glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...