As we celebrate the beautiful feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven, it is worth noting that there are two different traditions of how Mary’s life on earth actually ended. One tradition says that Mary was buried when she died, in the presence of most of the apostles. However, St Thomas was not present, and when he returned, he demanded that the grave be opened again, similar to what he did when Jesus appeared and he wasn’t present and wanted to see with his eyes and touch with his hands the wounds of the Risen Christ. Well this time, when they opened the grave, the found the body of Mary missing, except for some of her clothes. They believe that she was miraculously resurrected before being assumed, that is taken into heaven. This is what we believe as Catholics.
The other tradition speaks of the Dormition of Mary, that is the sleeping of Mary, a tradition that Eastern Churches believe in to this day. In art, one can see in many Assumption paintings, angels commonly carrying her heavenward where she is to be crowned by Christ, while the Apostles below surround her empty tomb as they stare up in awe. There are also a few ivory plaques depicting Mary as sleeping, celebrating the Dormition.
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