The Feast of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother Mary
Assumption of Mother Mary is believed to have taken place in the 5th Century.
August 15 is the day that Catholics have long celebrated what is called the Dormition (falling asleep) or Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her assumption bodily into heaven.
Now at the end of the summer season, the Church celebrates the most glorious “harvest festival” in the Communion of Saints — Mary, the supremely blessed one among women, Mary, the most precious fruit which has ripened in the fields of God’s kingdom, is today taken into heaven.
There is an important difference, of course, between the ascension of Jesus into Heaven after His Resurrection, and the assumption of Mary. To ascend is to rise up under one’s own power; while to be assumed means something that is done to one. Jesus, being the Second Person of the Trinity, had no need of assistance; whereas Mary did not have this power. (A pastor once demonstrated this difference in an unusual way. He asked two children to come to the front of the church. He told one child to walk from one side of the sanctuary to the other; and the other child he carried across.)
According to one tradition, Mary was warned of her approaching end by Saint Michael the Archangel, who conducts souls to Heaven, and was surrounded on her death-bed by the apostles, who were miraculously transported to her bedside from their various mission-fields. It was said that Jesus appeared, bore away her soul, and returned three days after her burial, when angels carried her body to Paradise where it was reunited with her soul under the Tree of Life.
How does one Celebrate this Blessed day?
The Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on this day.
The number of cities (large and small) that host processions or parades for the Feast of the Assumption is staggering. Our Lady is loved and celebrated in every corner of every continent on the planet! Processions range from small and solemn to large and boisterous.
In Europe and throughout the world, it was (and still is) traditional to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption by bringing the summer harvest to be blessed. The first fruits are often associated with the Feast of the Assumption both because of the time of year and because Mary was the first believer in Jesus to experience the promised resurrection. She is the first fruit of a great coming harvest.
Oh, how we love to have something special to eat for a feast day! Your plans can be as simple as a picnic or cookout or as fancy as a formal sit down dinner or a proper tea. In Goa the tradition is to make Patoleo a sweet made by spreading ground rice on turmeric leaves with a filling of coconut and jaggery placed inside.
Independence Day of our Beloved Country India
Independence ti India from the British colonial rule took place 77 years ago.
On August 15, 1947, India was freed from 200 years of brutal British colonial rule. Let us remember our obligations to Bharat Mata as we commemorate this day of patriotism.
Our independence is not just about political freedom in the connected world of today; it is also about the ability to control our own destiny, choose our own path, and defend the values that make us who we are. It serves as a reminder that we must continue to be watchful in preserving our national security and advancing our society. We must work to build a country where every person may reap the benefits of progress, where justice and equality are upheld, and where all people’s opinions are valued and appreciated. Let’s all pledge to support the development of all Indians.
A very important symbol of Independence Day is the Red Fort in Delhi. It is the place where the first Indian Prime Minister unveiled the Indian flag on 15 August 1947.The flag hoisting takes place every year to commemorate this auspicious and landmark day for all Indians.
People celebrate the day by attending the flag hoisting ceremony held in government offices, schools ,colleges or at different maidans, furthermore singing patriotic songs, watching a patriotic movie , kite flying competitions and not forgetting the sweets distributed and eaten in gutso and camaraderie.
Happy Feast and Happy Independence day.
By Gladys Da Silva (Ward 3)