Skip to content

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today, Catholics and many other Christians celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Today, Catholics and many other Christians celebrate the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This significant feast day recalls the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Venerable Pope Pius XII confirmed this belief about the Virgin Mary as the perennial teaching of the Church when he defined it formally as a dogma of Catholic faith in 1950, invoking papal infallibility to proclaim, “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

His Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus Deus” (Most Bountiful God), which defined the dogma,

contained the Pontiff’s accounts of many longstanding traditions by which the Church has celebrated the Assumption throughout its history.

The constitution also cited testimonies from the early Church fathers on the subject, and described the history of theological reflection on many Biblical passages which are seen as indicating that Mary was assumed into heaven following her death.

Although the bodily assumption of Mary is not explicitly recorded in Scripture, Catholic tradition identifies her with the “woman clothed with the sun” who is described in the 12th chapter of the Book of Revelation.

The passage calls that woman’s appearance “a great sign” which “appeared in heaven,” indicating that she is the mother of the Jewish Messiah and has “the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” Accordingly, Catholic iconography of the Western tradition often depicts the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven in this manner.

Eastern Christians have also traditionally held Mary’s assumption into heaven as an essential component of their faith. Pius XII cited several early Byzantine liturgical texts, as well as the eighth-century Arab Christian theologian St. John of Damascus, in his own authoritative definition of her assumption.

“It was fitting,” St. John of Damascus wrote in a sermon on the assumption, “that she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death,” and “that she, who had carried the creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles.”

In Eastern Christian tradition, the same feast is celebrated on the same calendar date, although typically known as the Dormition (falling asleep) of Mary. Eastern Catholic celebration of the Dormition is preceded by a two-week period of fasting which is similar to Lent. Pius XII, in “Munificentissimus Deus,” mentioned this same fasting period as belonging to the traditional patrimony of Western Christians as well.

The feast of the Assumption is always a Holy Day of Obligation for both Roman and Eastern-rite Catholics, on which they are obliged to attend Mass or Divine Liturgy.

This article was originally published by CNA.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis: Synod on Synodality ‘truly important’ despite being ‘of little interest to the general public’

Pope Francis acknowledged Saturday that the upcoming Synod on Synodality may be “of little interest to the general

Reimagined Templar Knights Provide Assistance to 2025 Jubilee Pilgrims

These volunteers, in white tunics with the cross pattée, follow the legacy of Friar Hugone de’ Pagani, first master of the 12th-century Templar Order.

Vatican secretary for protection of minors: ‘Harming a victim is harming the image of God’

Auxiliary Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera, secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, says abuse victims need more than a single act of reparation—they need “an in-depth process that listens to, welcomes, and accompanies.”

Vatican Offers Plenary Indulgence for ‘Seven Church Pilgrimage’ After Historic Church Renovation for 2025 Jubilee Year

After the historic renovation of the facade of Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini, the Church will offer an opportunity for a plenary indulgence for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Pope Francis at Easter Vigil: Christ ‘is the one who brings us from darkness into light’

Pope Francis on Saturday evening presided over the Easter Vigil Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica, reflecting on the

Pope Francis sends message from hospital to European political party

While recovering in the hospital, Pope Francis sent a message to the largest political party in the European

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit