Pastor's Corner

2021 08-08   The Assumption of Mary

Written by: Father Neil Herlihy

Next Sunday we celebrate as a faith community the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Addressing the Assumption, our Church teaches that Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory when the course of her earthly life was finished.  Pope Francis stated that this was a special privilege granted to the Mother of God due to her unique corporal and spiritual union with her Son, Jesus.

AS previously noted, Our Holy Father has a strong devotion to Mary.  One of his first acts after being elected Pope was to visit the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and dedicate his papacy to Mary’s care.  He has encouraged the faithful to turn to Mary in prayer and seek her intercession.  As reported in the publication “The Catholic World Report”, Pope Francis indicated that the Virgin Mary’s witness is a reminder to praise God each day.  He stated, “If, like Mary, we remember the great things that the Lord does, if at least once a day we magnify, we glorify Him, then we take a great leap forward…our hearts will expand, joy will increase.”

Pope Francis has also encouraged Catholics to visit a Marian shrine or acknowledge Mary in some special way on the feast of the Assumption.  Therefore, we encourage you to prayerfully consider making time next Sunday, before or after Mass, to pray before our statue of Mary which is adjacent to the entrance to our Saint Brigid Day Chapel, or visit the statue of Mary which is in our Columbarium.  In addition, we invite you to participate in our Virtual Rosary this Tuesday night, and our Living Rosary this Thursday night.  Like Pope Francis, our late Pope Pius XII also had a great devotion to Mary and he solemnly declared the Assumption as formal doctrine.  The following is an excerpt from the PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE ASSUMPTION which he composed:

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and Mother of Men.

We believe with all the favor of the faith in your triumphal Assumption,

 both in body and soul, into heaven,

where you are acclaimed as Queen by all the choirs of angels  and all the legions of saints;

 and we unite with them to praise and bless the Lord who has exalted you above all other creatures,

 and to offer you the tribute of our devotion and love.  Amen

As we reflect on this prayer, we are invited to look to Mary as a model of faith and respond in generous love to our call to discipleship.

Mary, Mother of God, intercede for us.

Mary, our Mother, pray for us.

 

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