The Museo del Prado in Madrid houses the oil on canvas painting (1665–1670) of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary done by Juan Martin Cabezalero (1633–1673). There are 10 of the Apostles, a few are mostly hidden in the shadows, gazing into the empty tomb of the Virgin Mary.
One of them, in the lower left side, is casting roses into her tomb. It is only Peter, in the shadow, center left, who has as yet taken notice that Mary is being borne to heaven by angels and so gestures as to call attention to the event of her assumption. Mary does not ascend to heaven by her own power, but is carried aloft by angels.
On Nov. 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII spoke these words: “We pronounce and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul to heavenly glory.”
The words of the preface of Mass, just before the Holy, Holy, Holy, state, “For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people; rightly you would not allow her to see the corruption of the tomb, since from her own body she marvelously brought forth your incarnate son, the author of all life.”
All the honor that Mary receives through the Church is given to her because she said yes to becoming the Mother of God.
When the dogma was issued it was the intention of the pope ...
n that a stronger, proper piety toward Mary would develop. Mary leads to her son.
n that there would be a more universal conviction on the value of human life. The holocaust of World War II had just occurred with its utter disregard for life. There was also a growing materialism which can lead away from living the way God asks.
n that belief in Mary’s bodily assumption will make our belief in our own resurrection stronger and make it more effective.
Mary’s assumption into heaven, body and soul, is celebrated at this time of the year because this is the beginning of the harvest, the time for gathering the produce from the gardens and farms. This feast is about God gathering Mary’s life, taking her to Himself.
The evening Gospel gives a very simple and profound description of what makes Mary’s life an example for us to follow.
“... Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
To hear the word of God is to listen to God and not your own self. What is it that God wants?
“Let it be done to me as you say.”
While you may hear the word of God, you must also keep the word, that is, you are to be faithful to God. You don’t give up, no matter the circumstances.
Mary brought Jesus into the world by living every moment of her life and living it well. That is precisely the way you and I bring Jesus into our world, into our lives.
The assumption is to live every moment of your life faithfully. Infidelity thrives where people have forgotten how to love each other, and have given up the sometimes difficult work of staying in love with one another.