Mary
in Christian Tradition
The Assumption
of Mary (August 15)
As the Feast of
the Immaculate Conception proclaims the grace of Christ in Mary before
he was born, so the Feast of the Assumption points to the fulfillment
of that grace, when Mary was taken, body and soul, into heaven to share
in the glory of her Son's Resurrection. The Church proclaimed this dogma
in 1950:
"'The
Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin,
when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body
and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over
all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son,
the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.' The Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection
and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians."
Like the mystery
of her Immaculate Conception, the Assumption of Mary is significant
for all humanity, since she anticipates our resurrection with Christ
in glory. She was taken up to heaven as "the beginning and the pattern
of the Church in its perfection, and a sign of hope and comfort for
your people on their pilgrim way." (Preface of the Assumption)
Readings for
the feast
The readings for
the feast dwell on the promise of heaven's glory. The Book of Revelations
presents the sign of "the woman clothed with the sun, with the moon
under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Book of
Revelation 11, 19) The reading from I Corinthians promises that
all will be raised, who are members of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15,
20-26) The gospel reading is Mary's Magnificat, her song of praise
that "God has raised up the lowly to high places."
(Luke 1, 39-56)
This feast has
its roots in the early Jerusalem church and in the churches of the East.
Feasts
of the Lord that also feature Mary
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