Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Celebrated each year on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts and a Holy Day of Obligation. The Feast of the Assumption is a very old feast of the Church, celebrated universally by the sixth century. The feast was originally celebrated in the East, where it is known as the Feast of the Dormition, a word which means “the falling asleep”. Pope Francis said that the Virgin Mary is a symbol of how God often works though the poor and unknown to carry out His plan for redemption.
O Mary, Our Dearest Mother
We ask for your powerful intercession, that we, like you may look with compassion on all we meet this day.
Help us to live with the deep peace that you knew from joyfully accepting God’s will.
Though you knew sorrow you never failed to love those around you
Though you knew pain you willingly put the needs of others before your own.
Help each of us, as People of Mercy, to live God’s calling and by coming to know your Son, Jesus, give us the peace that surpasses all worldly things.
Mary, Mother most Holy,
Pray for us.
