The Assumption of Mary: Certain Hope of resurrection

The fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary is The Assumption. This week, let us reflect on the dogma (teaching) about the Assumption. We have reflected on other three dogmas on Mother Mary in the last three weeks. Pope Pius XII proclaimed this Marian dogma on November 1, 1950 in his encyclical called Munificentissimus Deus.

The dogma states "Mary, Immaculate Mother of God ever Virgin, after finishing the course of her life on earth, was taken up in body and soul to heavenly glory." This definition as well as that of the Immaculate Conception makes not only reference to the universal, certain and firm consent of the Magisterium but makes allusion to the concordant belief of the faithful. The Assumption had been a part of the Church's spiritual and doctrinal patrimony for centuries. It had been part of theological reflection but also of the liturgy and was part of the sense of the faithful.

God has willed that the Blessed Virgin Mary should be exempted from this general rule which is, God does not will to grant to the just the full effect of the victory over death until the end of time has come. And so it is that the bodies of even the just are corrupted after death, and only on the last day will they be joined, each to its own glorious soul. She, by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception, and as a result she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body.

After the apostles had dispersed, the Blessed Mother goes to live with John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. She becomes a source of comfort, consolation and strength to the apostles; hence, she nourishes the Church through her unceasing intercession. We have known that Mother Mary was without sin through her immaculate conception; hence, corruption of the body of Mary is exempted because she was free of original sin.

A distinction needs to be made between Ascension and Assumption. Jesus Christ, Son of God and Risen Lord, ascended into heaven, a sign of divine power. Mary, on the contrary, was elevated or assumed into heaven by the power and grace of God.

She is taken up into heaven and she fulfills her salvific duties by interceding for us in the Church. By her maternal love she cares for the brothers and sisters of her Son who still journey on earth. Mary is the “eschatological icon of the Church” (CCC 972), meaning the Church contemplates in Mary her won end of times, that is to encourage the children of God that we have hope of the resurrection after we have completed our journey on earth.