August 15, 2021 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August13,2021
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:
Let us take a little time to review this official summary of the meaning of this feast that gives hope to all those who follow the Lord in the footsteps of Our Lady. In her, we see what happens when Jesus saves.
From the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines, published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, December 17, 2001, paragraph 180:
180. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary clearly stands out in Ordinary Time because of its theological importance. This is an ancient memorial of the Mother of God, which signifies and synthesizes many of the truths of the faith. Our Lady assumed into Heaven: is “the highest fruit of the redemption”, and a supreme testimony to the breath and efficacy of Christ’s salvific work (soteriological significance);
is a pledge of the future participation of the members of the mystical Body of Christ in the paschal glory of the Risen Christ (Christological aspect);
is for all mankind “the consoling assurance of the coming of our final hope: that full glorification which is Christ’s will also be that of his brethren, since He is of the “same flesh and blood” (Heb 2:14; cf.Gal 4:49) (anthropological aspect):
is the eschatological icon in which the Church joyfully contemplates “that which she herself desires and hopes wholly to be” (ecclesiological aspect);
is the guarantee of the Lord’s fidelity to his promise: he reserves a munificent reward for his humble Servant because of her faithful cooperation with the divine plan, which is a destiny of fullness, happiness, glorification of her immaculate soul, her virginal body, perfect configuration to her Risen Son (mariological aspect).
From the Mass of the Assumption: Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. (Collect of Mass)
Yours in Mary Assumed into Heaven, Fr. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor