Luke 1:28 – because Mary is, “full of grace”.On August 15, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the most important Marian feast in the Church calendar.
Catholics believe that on this day the body and soul of Mary – Mother of Jesus was taken up into heavenly glory after completing her earthly journey by her beloved Son and His Angels. In her lifetime, Our Lady had three great ecstasies, of which the Assumption was the greatest.
The privilege of the Assumption was granted to no one, but Mary.
Pius XII in 1950 in Munificentissimus Deus dogmatically defined it by exercising papal infallibility. The dogma and a matter of faith has been divinely revealed by God. Signifying this event, she has been called, ‘Our Lady of Assumption’.
By a special honor, she was enriched by divine grace from the moment of her conception. Mary did not have original sin but conceived the Son of God, with full grace.
Mary is considered as the first Christian disciple.
This feast is marked as a Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church. Assumption opens us up to the bright future that awaits us. It also strongly invites us to entrust ourselves to God, to follow His word, to seek and do His will on our time on earth, knowing that Heaven awaits the faithful and ‘those who live in the shadow of the most High’, (Psalm 91).
The feast of Mary was introduced to Rome in the 8th Century by Pope Sergius and from there it spread rapidly throughout Western Europe, with Pope Hadrian later giving the Feast Day its official name as the ‘Assumption of Mary’, towards the end of the Century.
Feast of Assumption in Goa:In Goa we have churches in Parishes in Velsao and Sarzora dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption. Besides these, there are other Churches like Our Lady of Hope at Candolim in North Goa, that also celebrates the feast annually.
The Feast of the Assumption is also celebrated at the 500-year-old – Raj Bhavan Chapel on 15th August situated at the Cabo Raj Nivas or Governor’s Palace at Dona Paula, Goa.
Some of the biblical texts used in the encyclical to illustrate the doctrine of Mary’s Assumption include:
- Arise, O Lord, into the resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified. (Psalm 131:8).
- The Spouse of Canticles – that goeth up by the desert, as a pillar of smoke of aromatical spices, of myrrh, and frankincense (Canticles 3:6).
- The Woman clothed with the Sun (Revelation 12).
- I will glorify the place of my feet (Isiah 61:13).
- Who is this that cometh up from the desserts, flowing with delights, leaning upon her beloved? (Canticles 8:5).
- Death is swallowed up in Victory (1 Corinthians 15:54)
This evidence filled passages are reassuring and related to the dogma and are worth reading and remembering to strengthen one’s faith and belief in Mary and God.
The importance of Mary: Mary is compared to as the bride in the Canticles. Her rising like incense to God could be interpreted as – Assumption to heaven.
Mary is also referred to as the – Ark of the Covenant; because she contained the Eternal Word in her Womb.
The place of the Lord’s feet is mentioned in Isiah 6:1. His resting place at the Incarnation, was Mary. The glorification mentioned, refers to glorification in Heaven.
The fullness of grace ascribed to Mary in Luke 1:28 and the accommodation of Genesis 3:15 to her, indicate that Mary, “was exempted from the fourfold curse that had been laid upon Eve.” (e.g., bodily death and corruption).
Since one of the blessings promised to all faithful is victory over death, it is fitting that Mary, who is the first and model disciple of Christ, would be the first to receive this blessing and was taken to heaven in a totally unique way.
Mary experienced the resurrection and glorification of her body at the moment her earthly life ended. John Paul II said that the Assumption truly was an event of live, in which Mary’s ardent longing to be with her son was finally fulfilled.
Mary’s Assumption offers us hope in the midst of our sufferings and trials. This is a hope that God will carry us through our distress and lift up our heavy hearts. Mary has always been the subject of intense devotion and was exceptionally holy.
At the foot of the cross, Mary witnessed in total silence, surrender to the will of God and prayers the crucifixion of her only son – Jesus Christ.
We only have to do God’s will and totally surrender to Him as Mary did.
Mary gives hope to humanity: Mary gives hope to humanity, with whatever we are facing in life today, especially during this pandemic as many have lost their jobs, or experienced losses in different ways and who are affected with sickness or death in the family.
On the Solemnity of the Assumption let us take the opportunity to experience Mary’s loving presence more deeply in our lives. Mary is a sign of positive, definite and comforting hope, she is a support and an incentive for believers to be true disciples of Christ. In times of difficulties, think of Mary that one may obtain the assistance of her prayer.
The Hail Mary and the Holy Mary are great prayers recited specially in times of distress and a form of faith to Mother Mary, to Jesus through Mary.
May we be more like Mary, so that we may have an experience of God supporting us in our sufferings.
Since August is the month of harvesting in Goa it is a tradition that the first sheaves of paddy are blessed by the Priest and offered in various churches to the faithful on the feast day of Assumption, thereby also seeking Mary’s blessings on a new crop which becomes our food.
In Goa, it is also called the Konnsanchem Fest.
On the feast day Catholics across Goa prepare Patolleo(a pancake of wheat or rice flour stuffed with coconut jaggery and steamed wrapped in turmeric leaves), Holle and Shevio are also prepared and distributed among families and friends.
The era which began on the day of Mary’s glorious Assumption will continue until the end of time. It is characterized by two uninterrupted operations:One in which Mary takes the initiative on our behalf, and the other, in which humanity responds to Her.
Mary’s continuous action for humanity consists in Her grace-giving presence to us and beneficial help of all kinds in our Christian life.As we celebrate the Assumption of Mary, let us be like our Blessed Mother who is crowned in glory as Queen of Heaven, (Hail Holy Queen), a disciple of Jesus Christ, always yearning and looking towards the Heavenly Kingdom, saving souls from eternal damnation. Let us turn trustingly to her who shines among the saints and like the sun among the stars. Mary, be a sign of hope and comfort for us and like a guiding star, lead us pilgrims on earth to our path towards heavenly glory, the homeland to which we are bound for eternity.
-Francisca F. da Costa