St. Mary the Virgin

St. Mary the Virgin, also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Mary, Mary Mother of God, or the Virgin Mary, is believed by many to be the greatest of all Christian saints. The Virgin Mother "was, after her Son, exalted by divine grace above all angels and men." Mary is venerated with a special cult, called by St. Thomas Aquinas, hyperdulia, as the holiest of all creatures. The main events of her life are celebrated as liturgical feasts of the universal Church. Mary's life and role in the history of salvation is foreshadowed in the Old Testament, while the events of her life are recorded in the New Testament. Traditionally, she was declared the daughter of Sts. Joachim and Anne, born in Jerusalem, where she was presented in the Temple and took a vow of virginity.

Living in Nazareth, Mary was visited by the archangel Gabriel, who announced to her that she would become the Mother of Jesus, by the Holy Spirit. This momentous event, known as the Annunciation, marked the beginning of Mary's unique role in salvation history. She became betrothed to St. Joseph and went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, who was bearing St. John the Baptist. Acknowledged by Elizabeth as the Mother of God, Mary intoned the Magnificat, her beautiful hymn of praise to God. When Emperor Augustus declared a census throughout the vast Roman Empire, Mary and St. Joseph went to Bethlehem, his city of lineage, as he belonged to the House of David. There Mary gave birth to Jesus in a humble stable, and was visited by the Three Kings, who recognized the divine nature of her child.

Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple, where St. Simeon rejoiced and Mary received word of sorrows to come later. Warned to flee, St. Joseph and Mary went to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod. They remained in Egypt until King Herod died and then returned to Nazareth. Nothing is known of Mary's life during the next years except for a visit to the Temple of Jerusalem, at which time Mary and Joseph sought the young Jesus, who was in the Temple with the learned elders. The first recorded miracle of Jesus was performed at a wedding in Cana, and Mary was instrumental in calling Christ's attention to the need, demonstrating her role as intercessor for humanity.

Mary was present at the Crucifixion in Jerusalem, and there she was given into John the Apostle's care. She was also with the disciples in the days before the Pentecost, and it is believed that she was present at the resurrection and Ascension. No scriptural reference concerns Mary's last years on earth. According to tradition, she went to Ephesus, where she experienced her "dormition." Another tradition states that she remained in Jerusalem. The belief that Mary's body was assumed into heaven is one of the oldest traditions of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII declared this belief Catholic dogma in 1950, proclaiming that "the Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."

The four Catholic dogmas concerning Mary are: Mother of God, Perpetual virginity of Mary, the Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Mary. In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception - that Mary, as the Mother of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, was free of original sin at the moment of her conception. The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8, while the feast of the Assumption is celebrated on August 15. The birthday of Mary is an old feast in the Church, celebrated on September 8, since the seventh century. Pope Pius XII dedicated the entire human race to Mary in 1944, recognizing her as the spiritual mother of all humanity and the Mediatrix of All Graces.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15th, during the summer season when the Church reflects on the themes of harvest and fulfillment. This feast is celebrated as a solemnity in the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing Mary's importance as the Mother of God and her unique role in salvation history. The feast commemorates the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life, as proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. The feast falls during a time when many people are enjoying the fruits of summer, making it an ideal time to remember Mary's role as the first fruits of the resurrection and her example of complete trust in God's promises. The feast provides an opportunity to honor Mary's memory and to reflect on our own hope for eternal life with God.

Traditions and Customs

On the feast day of the Assumption, many people participate in special prayers and devotions to honor Mary and seek her intercession. Churches hold special Masses and services, with many parishes holding processions and special celebrations. Many people gather to pray the Rosary and other Marian devotions, asking for Mary's intercession in their lives. The day is also marked by prayers for the Church and for all humanity, asking for Mary's protection and guidance. Many people also take time to reflect on their own relationship with Mary and to pray for the grace to follow her example of faith and obedience. The feast is also a time to reflect on how we can incorporate Mary's virtues of humility, obedience, and love into our daily lives, following her example as the perfect disciple of Christ.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the gift of trust in God's plan and the ability to surrender our will to His divine purpose. Many people make special petitions for Mary's intercession in their lives and for the grace to follow her example of faith and obedience. The day is also a time to reflect on our own hope for eternal life and to pray for the grace to live our lives in a way that prepares us for heaven. Mary's feast day encourages us to remember that we are all called to be saints and that we have a powerful advocate in heaven who is always ready to intercede for us. It is also a time to pray for the grace to be more like Mary in our daily lives, showing the same trust, obedience, and love that she demonstrated throughout her life.