The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for us! 

Today celebrates the taking up of Mary into Heaven body and soul because being the Immaculate Mother of God, the first and most perfect Christian, She did not suffer the corruption of the grave. Today is special because it is the day some non-Catholic denominations honor St. Mary, Mother of Our Lord. Today’s liturgical color is white or Gold for the glory of Mary. The faithful can show devotion to Mary by wearing these colors, blue for Mary’s royalty, stars or flower prints. The word Assumption comes from the Latin verb assumere, meaning "to take to oneself."

Stemming from ancient tradition bless your garden, pets and family today in honor of Our Lady’s Assumption! Today is also a special day to be enrolled in the brown scapular. As the “first fruits” are blessed today perhaps consider a party or a picnic where you share the goodies blessed today.

 
“We pronounce, declare, 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 into heavenly glory.” -Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, November 1st 1950

Continue to celebrate today’s great feast through the octave on August 22nd the feast of Mary’s Coronation. (See more at bottom of page)

The Proclamation of the Dogma

Assumption Resources

Another Resource

Assumption Customs (P 100)

Pope Francis Angelus Address

A Transcript of the Angelus Message

Feast Day Celebration in Buffalo

The Church of the Dormition

A Video of the Site of the Assumption

Holy Land Assumption Celebrations

A Mystical Vision of the Assumption Bk 8, Ch 7
Another Mystical Vision

Mary's Assumption (Movie Clip)

The Assumption for Kids

Mary's Assumption in Art and Legend

More Assumption Artwork

St. Gertrude Revelations for the Feast (pages 432-446) 

See the “Mary” section of this post

Marylike Holiness (Humility, simplicity, charity)

Indulgences: A plenary indulgence is given for visiting a church on the feast of its titular Saint. Any church titled St Mary's or Assumption Parish holds a plenary indulgence under the normal conditions (see indulgences section) and for praying the creed and Our Father once. This indulgence is extended to certain Marian basilicas for this feast day. For those consecrated to Mary on this feast in previous years and renew their indulgence a plenary indulgence can be gained today. To make this renewal more efficacious see here. For members of the Rosary Confraternity and Living Rosary a plenary indulgence is gained under the usual conditions.

Local Events: Google "Local events for the Feast of the Assumption". In Buffalo, NY there are usually events at St. Mary's in Swormsville, St. Mary's in Lancaster and Mary, Help of Christians Parishes. Our Lady of Victory Basilica is also celebrating their Centennial anniversary through 2026.

Notes: Dormition refers to Mary’s falling asleep per Orthodox belief, the Assumption is Her glory.

The Ephesus claim is simply devotional, it’s rebuttal is not a concern as we celebrate the event and not the location. Some places believe Mary lived their after the Passion but went to Jerusalem for Her Assumption.

Note in the preceding image how Our Lord holds Mary as a tiny baby depicting Her soul as newborn for Eternal Life!

Artwork of the Assumption is very easily confused with artwork of the Immaculate Conception. Commonly the Assumption features an adult Mary, a tomb, flowers and Mary's arms open and Her head is veiled. The Immaculate Conception depictions commonly paint Mary as younger, unveiled, with hands folded, the moon and serpent under Her feet.

 

This image is from the Basilica of the Assumption the first Basilica of America on the Assumption is when America’s first Bishop was consecrated.

In 2024 on today's feast the theatrical re release of the movie "Coraline" begins today to celebrate the films 15th anniversary!  

The Coronation of Our Lady

Before The Church retained only the Octaves of Christmas and Easter as She does today, all major feasts including the Assumption had an octave. Most solemnities that have an octave closed the week long celebration by crowing it (pun intended) with a second feast. For example the octave of Christmas is closed with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. While there is no modern octave of the Assumption the 8th day (the feast day plus one full week later) after the Assumption which is August 22nd is the feast of Mary’s Coronation. This feast commemorates that after Her Assumption into glory the Blessed Virgin Mary was crowned Queen of the Universe and Queen of all Creation. Just as Eve was the mother of all the living before the fall of humanity, Mary, the New Eve becomes our Mother at the Cross and is now crowned Queen. The articles that are included above such as the resources pages and those about mystics visions include references about Our Lady’s Coronation if you proceed just past the Assumption references. Also as mentioned above an indulgence can be gained within churches named for Our Lady’s Coronation or Queen of Heaven. An indulgence can also be gained for those who are consecrated to Mary on this day in previous years and for any pious associations with indulgences gained on any Marian feast day.

The Fifth Glorious Mystery (Video Clip)

A Resource for Our Queen (Includes links and images)

Mary, Queen of Heaven

When praying the “Hail, Holy Queen” today, take extra time to meditate on the words to honor our Queen Mother!