Assumption of Mary

The Icon of the Dormition of Mary

We honor the Blessed Mother today as we see her assumed into heaven body and soul. However, it was only in 1950 that Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption through an encyclical ‘Munificentissimus Deus.’ But it was in 451 that in the Council of Chalcedon, the Bishop of Jerusalem St Juvenal proclaimed that Mary did die in the presence of the apostles. However when St Thomas asked to open her coffin, it was empty, which shows that she was taken up into heaven in a mysterious way. In those days the tradition started which celebrated the Sleeping of Mary, the Dormitio. It was celebrated along with her Assumption on August 15, and this was in the Eastern churches. The Western churches, that is Rome, and all of Europe celebrated only the Assumption of Mary, but not the Dormitio, also on the same date, August 15. The doctrine of the Assumption teaches that at the end of her earthly existence, the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken up (assumed) body and soul, into heaven. This means that there are two human bodies with God in heaven, Jesus and Mary. 

Today we turn to Mary and ask for her protection on our families, our children, our parents, our elders, and all those who are in need of prayers for any particular reason. This prayer by St Gabriel Possenti is one of the most consoling prayers to Mary: “If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you; if you are troubled, she will console you; if you are sick, she will bring you relief; if you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her.”