This Friday we celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a holy day of obligation this year in the United States, and provides us with another opportunity to honor the Virgin Mary. Mary is the mother of Jesus, the mother of our Church, and our mother. She is a model of faithful discipleship.
Our Catechism states that “…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.”
Our late Holy Father, Pope Francis, had a strong devotion to Mary. Shortly before his death he encouraged Catholics to attend Mass, or visit a Marian shrine or pray before a statue of Mary, or acknowledge her in some special way on the feast of the Assumption. Commenting on this feast, the media outlet, “Catholic News Agency”, reported that Pope Francis “reminded us that we are not alone on our journey, and are accompanied by Mary who ended her earthly pilgrimage with her Assumption into heaven.” Pope Francis stated, “The Blessed Virgin is she who goes before us on the journey, reminding us all that our life is also a continuous journey toward the horizon of the final encounter with the Lord.”
The following “Our Lady of the Assumption” prayer encourages us to ask for Mary’s intercession as we continue on our journey:
O Mary, God’s Son became your Son
and you became both our Mother and our Queen.
From your heavenly throne,
intercede for your subjects
who are daily confronted with life’s trials.
Help us to find comfort in our recourse to you
and bring us closer to your Divine Son
whose glory and honor we proclaim forever
Amen
As we reflect on this prayer, we are reminded that we will have Masses at convenient time to celebrate this feast day. Please check the Church bulletin or website for details.
Encouraged by the Assumption of Mary, we are challenged to keep our focus on the example of Mary as we continue on our journey of faith.
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, intercede for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.