On Saturday, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of our ancient and beautiful celebrations of Mary.
The feast has its origins in the Eastern Church of the fifth and sixth centuries, where it became known as the Dormition, or the 'Falling Asleep', of the Mother of God. Ancient Christian tradition tells of Mary completing her earthly life surrounded by the Apostles, being received by Christ, and ultimately being taken, body and soul, into heavenly glory.
To this day, the Eastern Churches celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God, emphasising Mary’s peaceful passing from earthly life into the fullness of life with God. By the seventh century, the feast had spread to Rome and gradually throughout Western Christianity. In the Catholic tradition, the Assumption ultimately became a celebration not only of Mary, but also of Christian hope: the conviction that death does not have the final word and that our whole human life is destined for transformation in God.
From Mary, the first disciple, we see:
a woman who trusted,
who journeyed,
who served,
who stood faithfully with others,
and who allowed God to shape her life for the good of the world.
May we learn from her.
Loving God,
as we celebrate Mary’s Assumption,
we give thanks for her courage, trust and faithfulness.
Like Mary,
help us to listen for your presence,
to respond generously when we are called,
to notice those who need our care,
and to carry your hope into the lives of others.
May we have the courage of Catherine McAuley
and all those who have gone before us,
trusting that the story of Mercy
is now entrusted to us.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us.
Venerable Catherine McAuley, pray for us.
Mother Ursula Frayne, pray for us.
Amen.