The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven

by Fr. Tommy Lane

Earlier this year (2001) we were privileged when the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux visited Ireland. St. Thérèse is an example of someone who looked on Mary as a mother to her in a special way. Thérèse lost her mother before she reached ten years of age. Then she was fighting for her life during a grave illness and was miraculously cured through the intercession of Mary. Thérèse looked on herself as nestling in the arms of Mary. The child Jesus found protection in the arms of Mary and so also did Thérèse. The reason for our great joy today as we celebrate Mary’s Assumption into heaven is because we are celebrating a great privilege given to our heavenly mother.

 

It is fitting that Mary who cooperated with God’s plan for our salvation by saying yes to God and giving birth to Jesus would be honored at the end of her life by no decay touching her body. But it was not just a reward granted her by God for giving birth to Jesus rearing him; decay could not touch Mary’s body because she did not sin. In Rom 6:23 Paul says the “the wages of sin is death.” Because Mary was immaculate, and never sinned, it is only natural and logical that she would not suffer the consequences of sin, that decay would not touch her body. Instead she was assumed body and soul to the glory of heaven.

When Jesus ascended into heaven there were many witnesses. Although no one witnessed Mary being assumed into heaven and it is not stated in Scripture, it has been the constant belief of the Church since the first century. When Pope Pius XII officially proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption in 1950 he did not clarify whether or not Mary died. He stated that at the end of her life she was assumed body and soul to the glory of heaven. However according to tradition   she die but her body disappeared from her tomb because she was assumed into heaven.