We celebrate two Marian days in August
The Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption on Aug. 15 and the Queenship of Mary on Aug. 22.
The Catholic faith states, as a dogma, that the body and soul of Mary were assumed into Heaven. Mary is called “Queen,” because of her Divine Motherhood of Jesus Christ and because God willed her to have an exceptional role in the work of eternal salvation. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday, Aug. 15, is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Scripture does not give an account of Mary’s assumption into Heaven. But archaeologists have uncovered two tombs of Mary — one in Jerusalem and one in Ephesus, Turkey, where she lived at the end of her life — and neither holds the body or bones of Mary.
On Nov. 1, 1950, Pius XII defined the “dogma of the Assumption,” proclaiming the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken up, body and soul, into the glory of Heaven. The Assumption completes God’s work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption.
Blessed John Paul II said, “The Assumption of Mary is a singular participation in the Resurrection of Christ.”
“The Assumption completes God’s work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption,” according to Vatican Radio. “The Assumption is God’s crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity.” The Queenship of Mary was first instituted in 1954 by Pope Pius XII. According to Catholic tradition, as Christ is king of the world and saves the people from their sins, Mary is queen over the earth because of her role in the story of divine redemption, serving as mother to the Savior.
Pope Benedict XVI described this relationship, saying: “The small and simple young girl of Nazareth became Queen of the world! This is one of the marvels that reveal God’s Heart. Of course, Mary’s queenship is totally relative to Christ’s kingship. He is the Lord whom, after the humiliation of death on the Cross, the Father exalted above any other creature in Heaven and on earth and under the earth (cf. Phil 2: 9-11). Through a design of grace, the Immaculate Mother was fully associated with the mystery of the Son — in his Incarnation; in his earthly life, at first hidden at Nazareth and then manifested in the messianic ministry; in his Passion and death; and finally, in the glory of his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven.”
Mary’s queenship can be seen in the great vision described in Revelation 12: “And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars; she was with child, and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery.”
The faithful can enthrone Mary in their home and consecrate their family to her by having a statue or picture blessed by a priest or even the head of the family. An altar can be erected with flowers and candles, giving Our Mother Mary an honored place in the home where all will see her and often pray to her.
Featured image: Courtesy Cathopic
