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Biography
The Assumption of Mary is a Catholic dogma that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was taken body and soul into heaven, defined by Pope Pius XII on 1 November 1950 in his apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. It is celebrated on 15 August. It leaves open the question of whether Mary died or whether she was raised to eternal life without bodily death. The equivalent belief in the Eastern Christianity is the Dormition of the Mother of God or the "Falling Asleep of the Mother of God". In the Lutheran Churches, 15 August is celebrated as the Feast of St. Mary. A number of Anglican denominations observe 15 August under various titles, including the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin or the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The word 'assumption' derives from the Latin word assūmptiō, meaning 'taking up'. Some scholars argue that the Dormition and Assumption traditions can be traced early in church history in the apocryphal books, with Stephen J. Shoemaker noting about the dating: According to Shoemaker, the first known narrative to address the end of Mary's life and her assumption is the apocryphal third- and possibly second-century Liber Requiei Mariae ("The Book of Mary's Repose"). Yet numerous features indicate that the Liber Requiei Mariae, or the Obsequies of the Virgin, as the text is called in Syriac, has manuscripts which date according to Shoemaker to the "fifth or sixth centuries" where the "original Greek underlying these early translations almost certainly belongs to the fourth century." Another early source that speaks of the assumption are the Six Books Dormition Apocryphon. It dates almost certainly to the middle of the fourth century, if not perhaps even earlier. Most significantly, the Six Books Dormition Apocryphon provides compelling evidence for an early cult of the Virgin nearly a century before the events of the Council of Ephesus.
Prayers
Novena for the Assumption (Nine Days)
novenaCome, O Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of thy love. Hymn (said each day). Queen of all the virgin choir, Enthroned above the starry sky; Who with pure milk from thy own breast Thy own Creator didst supply. What man hath lost in hapless Eve, Thy sacred womb to man restores; Thou to the sorrowing here beneath Hast opened heaven's eternal doors. Hail, O refulgent Hall of Light! Hail, Gate sublime of Heaven's high King! Through Thee redeemed to endless life, Thy praise let all the nations sing. O Jesu, born of Virgin bright, Immortal glory be to Thee; Praise to the Father infinite, And Holy Ghost eternally. Amen. First Day, August 6. The glory of Mary in death, in that she was well prepared to die. Let us meditate how glorious Mary was at the moment of her death, because in life she was so well prepared to die; first by reason of her ardent longing to see her God and to be again united to her Son; and next, by the unapproachable merit of her consummate perfection. Then, reflecting how different we are from Mary in our practice of preparation for our death, let us say: Most holy Virgin, who in order to prepare thyself for a holy death, didst live in continual desire of the beatific vision; oh, take from us all vain desires for the frail things of earth. Ave Maria thrice. Most holy Virgin, who in order to prepare thyself for a holy death didst in life ever sigh to be united to thy Son Jesus; obtain for us fidelity to Jesus even unto death. Ave Maria thrice. Most holy Virgin, who, in preparation for a holy death, didst attain an unapproachable height of merit and of virtue; intercede for us that we may know that virtue and the grace of God alone will lead us to salvation. Ave Maria thrice. Let us now give praise to Mary, so prudent in preparing for death; and whilst we exalt her glory, we will unite with the nine Choirs of Angels, who, on her Assumption into Heaven, escorted her, praising her with the first Choir. Second Day, August 7. The glory of Mary in death, in that she was assisted by her Son Jesus and the Apostles. Let us meditate how glorious Mary was at her death, in that, according to the teaching of holy writers, she was comforted not only by the apostles and saints, but also by her dear Son Jesus; and whilst we contemplate the unspeakable joy which filled her soul at this grace granted to her alone, let us entreat her for ourselves: Glorious Virgin, who for thy consolation didst merit to die in the blessed company of apostles and saints: obtain for us, that when we breathe forth our souls we may feel thy presence and that of our holy patrons, assisting us. Ave Maria thrice. Glorious Virgin, who at the moment of thy death wast comforted by the sight of thy dear Son Jesus: oh, pray for us, that at that awful moment we too may be comforted by receiving Jesus in the most holy Viaticum. Ave Maria thrice. Glorious Virgin, who didst surrender thy spirit into the arms of Jesus: assist us, that we also, in life and in death, may surrender our souls into the arms of Jesus, and that we may always desire that his most holy will be done. Ave Maria thrice. Come then, let us magnify the glory of Mary, assisted at her death by her Son Jesus and his apostles, and join in jubilee at her triumph, with the second Choir of the heavenly host. Third Day, August 8. The glory of Mary in death, in that she died in an ecstasy of love. Let us meditate how glorious the holy Mary was in her death, because she died in a very ecstasy of the love of God; and desiring that we too may be strengthened by that holy fire of love, let us ask for her help. Mary, most happy Virgin, who didst die of the vehemence of the love of God; make it thy care that in our hearts, as God wills, there be lit up this living fire of his love. Ave Maria thrice. Mary, most happy Virgin, who dying of divine love didst teach us what our love of God ought to do; pray for us, that we may never abandon our God in life or death. Ave Maria thrice. Mary, most happy Virgin, who in leaving this mortal life, by virtue of an ecstasy of love didst make known the fire which ever burnt in thy heart, obtain for us at least a spark of that same fire, to give us true sorrow for our sins. Ave Maria thrice. Let us with the third Choir of Angels now exalt the ineffable glory of Mary inflamed with the love of her God. Fourth Day, August 9. The glory of Mary after death in her dead body. Let us meditate how glorious Mary was in her dead body, because it was adorned with marvellous splendour and majesty, and spread around an odour of sanctity, which was the very fragrance of Paradise, and because innumerable miracles were wrought at the sight of it. Then, thinking on our own misery, let us pray: O Lady, most pure, who by reason of thy virginal purity didst merit the glory of being so bright and so majestic in thy body after death; obtain for us the strength to detach ourselves from every foul spirit of impurity. Ave Maria thrice. O Lady most pure, who by reason of thy rare virtue didst from thy dead body spread around the sweetness of Paradise; make it thy care that we may edify our neighbour by our life, and never more by our bad example become a stumbling-block to others. Ave Maria thrice. O Lady most pure, at the sight of whose holy body numberless bodily infirmities were cured; intercede for us, that by thy prayers all our spiritual ills may be healed. Ave Maria thrice. Come, let us rejoice in the glory given to the dead body of Mary, magnifying her with the fourth Choir of Angels. Fifth Day, August 10. The glory of Mary after death in the resurrection of her body. Let us meditate how glorious Mary was after death, since by the power of the Highest her body, raised again to life, forthwith acquired the four gifts of brightness, agility, subtlety and impassibility; and filled with consolation at the excellence of her glory, let us invoke her: O Lady exalted, who wast so gloriously raised to life again by thy God; help us so to live on earth, that we also may rise again like unto thee in the last judgment day. Ave Maria thrice. O Lady exalted, to whose risen body were given the gifts of brightness and subtlety, by reason of the bright example and humility of thy life on earth; pray for us, that all contemptuous affectation may be taken from us; that so our souls, being freed from all self-love, may be adorned with humility. Ave Maria thrice. O Lady exalted, whose risen body was glorified by the gifts of agility and impassibility, by reason of thy spiritual zeal and patience while on earth; obtain for us courage valiantly to mortify our bodies, and patiently to curb all our disordinate inclinations. Ave Maria thrice. Then let us render due praise to Mary, and magnify the glory which adorned her risen body; while, with the fifth Choir, we exalt her. Sixth Day, August 11. The glory of Mary after death in her Assumption into Heaven. Let us meditate how gloriously Mary was taken up to Heaven, being escorted thither by many legions of the heavenly host and of blessed souls drawn by her merits out of Purgatory; and rejoicing in that majestic triumph, let us with all humility offer to her our supplications: Great Queen, who wast assumed so royally into the Kingdom of eternal peace; obtain for us that all sordid, earthly thoughts be taken away from us, and our hearts be fixed upon the contemplation of the unchangeable happiness of Heaven. Ave Maria thrice. Great Queen, who wast assumed to Heaven amidst a company of the Angelic Hierarchy; obtain for us strength to overcome the wiles of all our enemies, and that we may lend a docile ear to the counsels of that good angel who continually assists and governs us. Ave Maria thrice. Great Queen, who wast assumed to Heaven most gloriously, in the company of souls drawn by thy merits out of Purgatory; free us from the slavery of sin, and make us worthy to praise thee for all eternity. Ave Maria thrice. Let us not cease to applaud the royal triumph of Mary; and uniting our homage with the sixth Choir of angels, let us honour the singular glory of her Assumption into Heaven. Seventh Day, August 12. The glory of Mary after death in her exaltation as Queen of Heaven. Let us meditate how glorious Mary is in Heaven, because she is enthroned there as Queen of the universe, and is ever receiving homage and veneration from countless hosts of angels and of saints; and assisting at her royal throne, let us implore her aid: Sovereign Queen of the universe, who for thy incomparable merit art raised to such high glory in the heavens; in thy pity look upon our miseries, and rule us with the gentle sway of thy protection. Ave Maria thrice. Sovereign Queen of the universe, who art ever receiving worship and homage from all the heavenly host; accept, we pray thee, these our invocations, offered with such reverence as befits thy dignity and greatness. Ave Maria thrice. Sovereign Queen of the universe, by that glory which thou hast by reason of thy high place in Heaven; vouchsafe to take us into the number of thy servants, and obtain for us grace that with quick and ready will we may faithfully keep the precepts of God our Lord. Ave Maria thrice. Let us take part in the joy of the angels praising Mary, and rejoice with the seventh Choir, because we know that she is raised to the dignity of Queen of the universe. Eighth Day, August 13. The glory of Mary after death in the crown which decks her brow. Let us meditate how glorious Mary is in Heaven by reason of the royal crown wherewith her divine Son has crowned her, and for the full knowledge which she now has of the deep mysteries of God, past, present and to come; and full of veneration for the incomparable honour bestowed upon our Queen, let us have recourse to her and say: Queen unrivalled, who in Heaven above dost enjoy the high glory of being crowned by thy divine Son with a royal diadem; help us to share thy matchless virtues, and ask for us that, purified in heart, we may be made worthy to be crowned with thee in Paradise. Ave Maria thrice. Queen unrivalled, in the full knowledge granted thee of all things on earth; for thy own glory's sake obtain pardon for our past evil deeds, that we may never offend again by froward tongue or wanton thought. Ave Maria thrice. Queen unrivalled, whose desire it is to see men pure and clean of heart, that so they may be made worthy of thy God; obtain for us forgiveness of our sins, and help us, that all our looks, words and deeds may please his heavenly Majesty. Ave Maria thrice. Let us then purify our hearts, in order that we may be worthy to give praise to Mary; and to the glory she possesses in that bright crown which decks her royal brow, let us add humble tokens of our love, rejoicing in union with the eighth Choir. Ninth Day, August 14. The glory of Mary after death in her patronage of man. Let us meditate how glorious Mary is in Heaven by reason of her patronage of man, and for the power she has to aid him with great watchfulness in all his necessities; wherefore with lively confidence in the patronage of the very Mother of our God, let us implore her aid. Mary, our most powerful patroness, whose glory it is in Heaven to be the advocate of man; oh! take us from the hands of the enemy and place us in the arms of our God and Creator. Ave Maria thrice. Mary, our most powerful patroness, who being in Heaven the advocate of men wouldst that all men should be saved; make it thy care that none of us succumb at the thought of our past relapses into sin. Ave Maria thrice. Mary, our most powerful patroness, who to fulfil thy office dost love to be continually invoked by men; obtain for us such true devotion that we may ever call upon thee in life, and above all at the awful moment of our death. Ave Maria thrice. Now with all our hearts let us celebrate the glories of Mary; and consoled at having Mary for our advocate in Heaven, let us join in praising her with the ninth Choir of angels. Each day, then say the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, and then: V. The Holy Mother of God is exalted. R. Into the heavenly kingdom above the Angel Choirs. Let us pray. We beseech Thee, O Lord, to pardon the shortcomings of thy servants; that we who by our own works are not able to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
— The Raccolta, 1910 edition, pp. 190–199 (199. Five Novenas for the Principal Feasts of Our Lady — V. Novena for the Assumption)
Patronages
No patronages on file. (See the documentation/patronage-data-plan.md for the gap-fill plan.)