The Assumption Of Mary

Pitt.Edu. ^ | 00/00/00 | David Kopel

[Lady In Blue]

Thoughts of Brother Christian Moe:

"Assumption of the Blessed Virgin (Mantegna)

"A

nd therefore she died in private. It became Him who died for the world, to die in the world's sight; it became the Great Sacrifice to be lifted up on high, as a light that could not be hid. But she, the lily of Eden, who had always dwelt out of the sight of man, fittingly did she die in the garden's shade, and amid the sweet flowers in which she had lived. Her departure made no noise in the world. The Church went about her common duties, preaching, converting, suffering; there were persecutions, there was fleeing from place to place, there were martyrs, there were triumphs: at length the rumour spread abroad that the Mother of God was no longer upon earth. Pilgrims went to and fro; they sought for her relics, but they found them not; did she die at Ephesus? or did she die at Jerusalem? reports varied; but her tomb could not be pointed out, or if it was found, it was open; and instead of her pure and fragrant body, there was a growth of lilies from the earth which she had touched. So, inquirers went home marvelling, and waiting for further light. And then it was said how that when her dissolution was at hand, and her soul was to pass in triumph before the judgment seat of her Son, the Apostles were suddenly gathered together in one place, even in the Holy City, to bear part in the joyful ceremonial; how that they buried her with fitting rites; how that the third day, when they came to the tomb, they found it empty, and angelic choirs with their glad voices were heard singing day and night the glories of their risen Queen. But, however we feel towards the details of this history (nor is there anything in it which will be unwelcome or difficult to piety), so much cannot be doubted, from the consent of the whole Catholic world and the revelations made to holy souls, that as is befitting, she is, soul and body, with her Son and God in heaven, and that we are enabled to celebrate not only her death, but her Assumption."

(John Henry Cardinal Newman, Discourses to Mixed Congregations, pp. 375-8; cited in J. Regina, ed., The Mystical Rose, St. Pauls Editions, 1960, pp. 91-94.)

---

Brother Christian Moe, FSC is a lecturer at the Centre for Thomistic Studies, in Sydney, Australia.

This article posted November 1997. It was published in Universitas, Vol 1 (1997), No. 2.
Permission is granted to copy or quote from this article, provided that full credit is given to the author and to the
Centre for Thomistic Studies, Sydney, Australia.
We would be grateful to receive a copy of any republication.

Centre for Thomistic Studies | Article Index | Recommended Books | Recommended Links

[Lady In Blue]

Ping

[Siobhan]

This has been the most wonderful Assumption Day. Blessed be God forever!

Mary, Queen of all saints, pray for us.
Mary, Queen and Mother of God, pray for our children to the Lord our God.

[RobbyS]

[T]he Russian Orthodox theologian Sergius Bulgakov, who described Mary as "the creature glorified and deified. In her is realized the idea of Divine Wisdom in the creation of the world; she is Divine Wisdom in the created world."

[Siobhan]

Very interesting!

Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

[Siobhan]

The following prayer my father had on the wall above his computer:
Prayer of Sergius Bulgakov

O Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, thou didst promise to abide with us always. Thou dost call all Christians to draw near and partake of Thy Body and Blood, But our sin has divided us and we have no power to partake of Thy Holy Eucharist together. We confess this our sin and we pray Thee, forgive us and help us to serve the ways of reconciliation, according to Thy Will. Kindle our hearts with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Give us the spirit of Wisdom and faith, of daring and of patience, of humility and of firmness, of love and of repentance, through the prayers of the most blessed Mother of God and of all the saints. Amen.

[Lady In Blue]

It's been a wonderful day out here in California as well,thanks be to God!

[Lady In Blue]

You're welcome,HDMZ.Glad that you came on board!

[Lady In Blue]

Tomorrow,I'll check and see if I can find the "Munificentissimus Deus" online.I think I caught sight of it in passing when I was searching for articles to post this evening.

[Salvation]

A lot of comments and information about the Assumption over here in Daily Readings -- Feast of the Assumption, 8-15-02!

[Salvation]

A lot of comments and information about the Assumption over here in Daily Readings -- Feast of the Assumption, 8-15-02!

[Salvation]

Welcome. I'll put you on my Ping List.

[Salvation]

Sorry about the double post. I didn't think it went through.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Munificentissimus Deus

[grumpster-dumpster]

Catholic bump. Wonderful and joyus day, yesterdy. (In Italy it's a National Holidy...everybody takes the day off! I find that rather enlightened. LOL!)

[The_Reader_David]

Nice to see an icon of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the top of the thread.

The post is quite right--the Orthodox have always taught that the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven after her death.

How I wish your Pope hadn't waffled on this question of whether the Theotokos died! Although this particular recently proclaimed dogma is not per se a new obstacle to reunion, the fact that may proponents of it held (and perhaps still hold) that the Virgin Mary was assumed before death may be.

[Lady In Blue]

Thanks for your thoughts on whether the Blessed Virgin actually died or only went to sleep.At this point in time,it doesn't really matter,IMHO. I truly believe that the Blessed Mother was assumed body and soul into heaven.What a home coming that must have been!