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...The “Fiat” is more than a prayer and the “Magnificat” more than a hymn of praise. Together they constitute a lesson book, a guide, for our own lives. This lesson book is desperately needed by Christians, indeed all people of good will, in an age characterized by pride and arrogance. The pattern of the life of Mary, the first disciple of the Lord, reveals a trajectory of surrendered love. If we embrace the mystery of Mary, we will find the meaning of our own lives. We were created out of Love, in Love and for Love. As the beloved disciple...

Ed. Note: The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is August 15. What happened to the mother of Jesus Christ at the end of her life? The answer you get depends upon whom you ask. "Nothing unusual," say Protestants. "A miracle! She was taken directly to Heaven!" say Catholics -- at least those who know that Pope Pius XII solemnly proclaimed the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a dogma that all Catholics must believe: "The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body...

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemn High Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception August 15, 2007 In Nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. In November of 1922, a very important archeological discovery was made. Howard Carter, an English archeologist, had made great efforts to get benefactors and raise money for a dig in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Finally, after the resources were there and a team was assembled, Carter spent seven years searching. The conditions were hot. Sandy. Uncomfortable. Primitive. And the end result: uncertain. But one day the Egyptian laborers excavated...

Here is a translation of the words of the Holy Father at the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo today: Dear brothers and sisters! We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is an ancient feast, which has its ultimate foundation in Sacred Scripture which shows us the Virgin Mary closely united to her divine Son and always one with him. Mother and Son appear closely associated in the battle against the infernal enemy until full victory is achieved over him. This victory is expressed, particularly, by overcoming sin and death, a victory over those enemies...

Friday, August 03, 2007 In Charm City, 100K Have Seen the Light When he announced plans for a stem-to-stern restoration of the US' first cathedral, Baltimore's Basilica of the Assumption, Cardinal William Keeler was met with no small amount of intense criticism. Neighborhood groups railed against the removal of the century-old stained glass as some of his presbyterate griped that the cardinal had proposed what one cleric deemed "a monument to himself." Ever the wise student of history, Keeler forged ahead anyway with the two-year, $35 million project. And since its completion in November, every outcome he foresaw at...

Protestants as well as Catholics believe that the Body of Jesus Christ is now in heaven. This doctrine is called the Ascension and is explicitly revealed in the Bible. All Christians believe, too, that the bodies of the just will be united to their souls at the end of the world and be glorified in heaven after the manner of the Risen Body of Christ. This is also revealed explicitly in the New Testament. It follows, therefore, that the bodies and souls of the departed saints are now separated, that their souls are in heaven and their bodies in the...

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Other Articles by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Solemnity of the Assumption 08/15/06 I once asked a college theology class if anyone could explain the doctrine of the Assumption. A student replied, “Yeah, that’s the teaching whereby the Catholic Church ‘assumes’ that Mary is in heaven.” In This Article...Greatest of Marian FeastsSomething Unique about MaryNo Decay, No Delay Greatest of Marian Feasts There’s a bit more to it than that. The Church does not just “assume” that any canonized saint in is in heaven. Rather, it authoritatively declares that a person is in glory and should therefore be honored...

THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY A Roman Catholic Dogma Originating with Heretics and Condemned as Heretical by 2 Popes in the 5th and 6th Centuries. The Roman Catholic doctrine of the assumption of Mary teaches that she was assumed body and soul into heaven either without dying or shortly after death. This extraordinary claim was only officially declared to be a dogma of Roman Catholic faith in 1950, though it had been believed by many for hundreds of years. To dispute this doctrine, according to Rome’s teaching, would result in the loss of salvation. The official teaching of the Assumption comes...

16 August, 2006 VATICANMary’s Assumption is hope for today’s society, says Pope Today’s world denies God His place or despairs in death. Only God’s love can quench the thirst for happiness and give value to the mystery of human frailty and death. The Pontiff remembers Frère Roger of Taizé, killed a year ago. Castel Gandolfo (AsiaNews) – Today’s general audience was a bit special. Contrary to the usual practice, it was held in the courtyard of the Pontiff’s summer residence rather than St Peter’s Square. And instead of continuing his meditations on the Apostles, the Pope spoke again of the...

August 15, 2006 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryMass during the Day Psalm: Monday 34 Reading 1Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab God’s temple in heaven was opened,and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,with the moon under her feet,and on her head a crown of twelve stars.She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.Then another sign appeared in the sky;it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,and on its heads...

This reading on the Assumption of Mary is taken from the first homily of St. John Damascene on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “But even though, according to nature, your most holy and happy soul is separated from your most blessed and stainless body and the body as usual is delivered to the tomb, it will not remain in the power of death and is not subject to decay. For just as her virginity remained inviolate while giving birth, when she departed her body was preserved from destruction and only taken to a better and more divine tabernacle,...

August 14, 2006 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, VigilPsalm: Monday 34 Reading 11 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORDto the place which he had prepared for it.David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites. The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles,as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD. David commanded the chiefs of the Levitesto appoint their kinsmen as chanters,to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals,to make a loud sound of rejoicing....

Holy Days of Obligation, Or Holy Days of Opportunity Holy days are usually regarded in terms of obligation and imposition. But should they not be considered even more as graced times of opportunity to mark a special mystery of our faith? In recent years, holy days have come in for a good deal of discussion, evaluation and renewal. As early as the fourth century, St. John Chrysostom was concerned about the celebration of holy days in Constantinople. This Father and Doctor of the Church commented in a homily that "many people celebrate the holy days and know their names: but...

Fight Breaks Out At Catholic Festival Fights broke out during the annual Feast of the Assumption pilgrimage in Carey Sunday afternoon at the Our Lady of Consolation Shrine. The religious event is supposed to bring thousands of people together to honor the Virgin Mary, which falls on every Aug. 15. The annual event was interuppted after a group, known as the "Minister of Annoyance," told the numerous Catholics in attendance to not believe in God and disown their faith. It sparked a fight between the group and a few teenagers. Carey police were called and arrested three teens and one...

by Heidi Hess Saxton Other Articles by Heidi Hess Saxton Why Catholics Believe in the Assumption of Mary 08/15/05 My friend Margie, who teaches two- to three-year-olds in our parish religious education program, says that the secret to teaching this age group is a healthy prayer life. The week she taught her class about the Assumption of Mary, Margie spent a long time on her knees. She was stumped. “How is it possible to explain this to a two-year-old?” Fortunately, our Lord always answers the prayers of those who want to honor His Mother. “As I prayed, the idea came to...

JOHN OF DAMASCUS SERMON III ON THE ASSUMPTION (koimhsiV) [201] LOVERS are wont to speak of what they love, and to let their fancy run on it by day and night. Let no one therefore blame me, if I add a third tribute to the Mother of God, on her triumphant departure. I am not profiting her, but myself and you who are here present, putting before you a spiritual seasoning and refreshment in keeping with this holy night. We are suffering, as you see, from scarcity of eatables. Therefore I am extemporising a repast, which, if not very costly...

JOHN OF DAMASCUS SERMON II ON THE ASSUMPTION (koimhsiV) [171] THERE is no one in existence who is able to praise worthily the holy death of God's Mother, even if he should have a thousand tongues and a thousand mouths. Not if all the most eloquent tongues could be united would their praises be sufficient. She is greater than all praise. Since, however, God is pleased with the efforts of a loving zeal, and the Mother of God with what concerns the service of her Son, suffer me now to revert again to her praises. This is in obedience to...

JOHN OF DAMASCUS SERMON I ON THE ASSUMPTION (koimhsiV) [147] THE memory of the just takes place with rejoicing, said Solomon, the wisest of men; for precious in God's sight is the death of His saints, according to the royal* David. If, then, the memory of all the just is a subject of rejoicing, who will not offer praise to justice in its source, and holiness in its treasure-house? It is not mere praise; it is praising with the intention of gaining eternal glory. God's dwelling-place does not need our praise, that city of God, concerning which great things were...

The Assumption of Mary - August 15The Feast of Mary's Assumptionby: Marcellino D'Ambrosio To listen to the PodCast of The Assumption of Mary - Click here!  This discussion of the Catholic Doctrine of Mary's Assumption, defined by Pope Pius XII as a dogma of faith, originally appeared as an article on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary in Our Sunday Visitor. I once asked a college theology class if anyone could explain the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary.  A student replied, “yeah, that’s the teaching whereby the Catholic Church ‘assumes’ that Mary is in heaven.” There’s a bit more to the dogma...

August 14, 2005Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Psalm: Sunday 36 Reading I1 Chr 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2 David assembled all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the ark of the LORDto the place which he had prepared for it.David also called together the sons of Aaron and the Levites. The Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with poles,as Moses had ordained according to the word of the LORD. David commanded the chiefs of the Levitesto appoint their kinsmen as chanters,to play on musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals,to make a loud sound of rejoicing. They...