The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

From Catholic Harbor of Faith and Morals:

Mary, from her infancy, rested in the presence of the Most High, and passed her life in the smile of heaven. Like wisdom incarnate she took root among the chosen people, to the eye of man she appeared to walk on earth like other mortals, but God was ever her portion and her inheritance; and in the end her abode, for body as well as soul, was in the full assembly of the saints. It is this happy termination of Mary's life, her glorious assumption into heaven, that we celebrate today. This feast recalls several things--Mary's temporal death and burial, her incorruption in the grave, her restoration to life, her bodily assumption into heaven, and her triumphant coronation.

The Death of Mary

In the first place the feast of the Assumption commemorates the holy death of the Blessed Virgin, as is stated in the prayer of the feast. Mary died, (a) because it was the will of God that she might be in all things like her divine Son; (b) in order that the just might have an example and a model of a holy death. Mary's death was most happy, (a) because she was most detached from all things of earth; (b) because, far from feeling any remorse of conscience, her life had been spotless; (c) because she was certain of her salvation (St. Alphonsus).

The Corporal Assumption of Mary

The body of the Blessed Virgin did not suffer the corruption of the tomb, but was soon remitted with her soul, and assumed into heaven. Her going into heaven is called assumption rather than ascension, because it was the effect of a special privilege and grace of God. The reasons for belief in the Assumption are: (a) it is impossible to think that our Lord would have suffered the body of His Mother to see the corrpution of the grave; (b) since the delay in resurrection until the end of the world is a consequence of original sin, there was no reason why the body of the Immaculate Virgin should long be separated from her soul; (c) it was foretold in Scripture (Gen.iii. 15) that Mary should triumph over sin and its consequences, concupiscence and death; She triumphed over sin by her Immaculate Conception, over concupiscence by her virginal maternity, and over death by her Assumption; (d) a type of Mary's Assumptions is seen in the Ark of the Covenant, which was made of incorruptible wood, and which is spoken of by the Psalmist and St. John as existing in the heavenly temple (Ps. cxxxi.8; Apoc. xi.9; cf. xii. 1.) ; (e) this belief rests especially on a venerable tradition manifested in the practice and the teaching of both the Latin and the Greek Church.


The Coronation of Mary

We read in the office of today's feast that the Holy Virgin is exalted above all the choirs of angels to the heavenly kingdom. The words of the Canticle of Canticles are also applied to her: "Come from Libanus, my spouse, come from Libanus, come: thou shalt be crowned" (Cant.iv.8  ). Since the glory of the saints is proportioned to their merits and dignity, what must be the glory of Mary the Mother of God! The vision of St. John of the Woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet and a crown of stars on her head (Apoc. xii. 1) is an apt description of Mary glorified in heaven.

The holy death of Mary should teach us to prepare for our own death, and to say fervently every day those words of the Hail Mary, "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." Let us always celebrate this feast with gladness and rejoicing, mindful that it is far above all the feasts of the saints and the greatest of our Lady's festivals. Let us pray to Mary crowned above that we may sanctify our lives as she sanctified hers, not so much by the performance of many and great deeds, as by fidelity in small things and to the ordinary duties of our state. Amen

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

A Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mother of God.

O   Jesus Christ, Son of the divine bounty of God, be my aid.

O   Blessed Virgin, listen to me.

O   Mother of the Saviour of the world, assist me.

O   Mother of God, Lady of Heaven, sweetly beloved Queen and advocate of all human lineage, pray for me.

Pray come, amiable and mild Lady of the Angels, Flower of the Patriarchs, Desire of Prophets, Treasure of the Apostles, Mother of Confessors, Ornament of Virgins, O Sweet and Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for me.

O   Lady, who is heard above the company of the Angels, preserve me from all evils, past, present and to come. Do no abandon me this day, nor at the dreadful hour when my soul shall be separated from my body. Petition for me, O sweet and Blessed Virgin Mary, at the hour of death and judgment, that my soul may come to Paradise, before your Son Jesus , and that I may be worthy to see His grace and every lasting glory with you. Amen

O   Gate of Paradise, Palace of Jesus Christ, Star of the Sea, Consolation of Mankind, beginning without end, take pity on me.

O   Sweet and Blessed Virgin Mary, daughter of God the Father, Mother of Jesus Christ, the Spouse of the holy Ghost: O Gate of Heaven, Door of the Firmament, Hope of Christians, Fountain of Pity, Safeguard of Peace, Glory of Virgins, who is honored above all Angels, intercede for me.

O   Mother of Mercy, Miracle of Virginity, Virgin above all Virgins, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity, beautiful above all creatures, O Lady of Meekness, Abbess of Mildness, Comforter of the Sorrowful, Consolation of the Afflicted, in you the Angels do rejoice.

O   Sweet Lady of Mercy, turn your merciful eyes to me, enlighten me with grace and hear my prayers. Into the protection of Almighty God and your holy hand, O Refuge of Sinners, I commend my soul and body. Amen


Prayer to ask Our Lady's Blessing

To bless me, O Daughter of the Eternal Father, and to obtain for me the grace never to offend my God by my thoughts. Bless me, O Mother of the Eternal Son, and pray that I may never offend my God by my words. Bless me, O Spouse of the Eternal Spirit, and by thy intercession obtain for me that I may never offend my God by my actions or omissions. Bless me, .O Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity! Pray for me that I may love and serve my God with my whole heart and soul, and that I may enjoy Him forever hereafter. O Mary, receive me as thy child for the sake of Jesus, who confided me to thy care in his agony on the cross. Amen." Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

(Indulgence: 300 days)

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

Invitation To The Blessed Virgin Mary To Be Present At Our Death

O Most holy Virgin Mary, in union with that most faithful love wherewith thy Son commended thee from his cross to the blessed John, I commend to thee my soul and my body, my thoughts, my words, and my actions, my life and my death, and more especially that one last moment of my life on which eternity hangs. And as thou didst invite thy Son to thine own blessed departure, so I invite thee now to mine; beseeching thee, by that love wherewith thou didst stand beneath the cross on which thy Son was dying, and by the bitter tears thou didst shed when thou sawest Him bow in death his sacred head, that thou be not absent from me then, but be there to succour me with a mother's tenderness; for without thee I cannot die in peace.

Refuse not, O most tender Mother, this my request, which I make to thee with all the earnestness and devotion of my heart; for if I die without thee, I most justly fear lest I perish everlastingly. For how shall I, fearful and frail as I am, stand then amidst the manifold and most grievous assaults of my enemies, unless thou be near to succour me? How shall I appear in the dread day of judgment, unless thou be my companion and my advocate? How give an account of my innumerable, my enormous, my most exceeding sins, unless thou plead my cause with thy Son, and obtain for me forgiveness of them all? Incline now thine ear to my supplication, O my Blessed Mother; and by the love of thy Son come unto me in my last moments, that by thy availing succour I may be rescued from that appalling peril, and with thee attain to everlasting gladness. Amen.

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

Indulgence of 100 Days, thrice a day, for saying morning, noon, evening, Gloria Patri thrice, in thanksgiving to the Most Holy Trinity for the graces and the privileges granted to most Holy Mary, especially in her glorious Assumption into Heaven.

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

Music at the website  http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/Assumption.html

Ave Maris Stella--Monteverdi Vespers of 1620
from the Feast of the Assumption

Ave, Star of ocean,
Child divine who barest,
Mother, ever Virgin,
Heaven's portal fairest.


Taking that sweet Ave
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva's, name reversing,
Be of peace the token.


Break the sinners' fetters,
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.


Show thyself a Mother
In thy supplication;
He will hear who chose thee
At His Incarnation.


Maid all maids excelling,
Passing meek and lowly,
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.


As we onward journey
Aid our weak endeavor,
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.


Father, Son, and Spirit,
Three in One confessing,
Give we equal glory
Equal praise and blessing.
Amen.

[PerEvangelicaDicta]

Prayers of Thanksgiving for Our Lady's Assumption


Adore the eternal Father with a Pater, Ave, and Gloria; then say, I adore Thee, Eternal Father, my Lord and my God, in union with all the heavenly host, rendering Thee infinite thanks for every grace and favour Thou hast granted to Mary, most holy Virgin, Thy well-beloved daughter, and, above all, for that height of power to which Thou didst exalt her by her Assumption into heaven.

Adore the Eternal Son with a Pater, Ave, and Gloria; then say I adore Thee too, Eternal Son, my God, my Lord, and my Redeemer, in union with all the heavenly host, rendering Thee infinite thanks for every grace and favour Thou hast granted to Mary, Virgin most blessed, Thy well-beloved Mother, and, above all, for the gift of highest wisdom with which Thou didst glorify her on her Assumption into heaven.

Adore the Holy Ghost with a Pater, Ave, and Gloria; then say, I adore Thee also, O Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, my God and my Lord, and in union with all the heavenly host I render Thee infinite thanks for every grace and favour Thou hast granted to the most blessed Virgin, Thy most loving Spouse, and, above all, for that most perfect and divine charity with which Thou didst inflame her most holy and most pure heart in the act of her most glorious Assumption into heaven. In the name of Thy most chaste Spouse, I humbly beg of Thee to grant me the grace of remission of all my most grievous sins which I have committed from the first moment when I was able to sin until this day, for all of which I grieve exceedingly, firmly purposing rather to die than ever again offend Thy Divine Majesty; and relying on the high merits and most powerful protection of this Thy most loving Spouse, I beg of Thee to grant me the most precious gift of Thy grace and Divine love, by vouchsafing me those lights and special helps whereby Thy eternal providence has determined to will my salvation, and to bring me to Thyself.

Then say three times:

Holy Mary, all ye holy men and women, saints of God, intercede for us to our Lord, that we may merit his help and be saved. Amen.


To the Most Blessed Virgin:

I acknowledge thee and I venerate thee, most holy Virgin, Queen of Heaven, Lady and Mistress of the Universe, as Daughter of the Eternal Father, Mother of his well-beloved Son, and most loving Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Kneeling at the feet of thy great Majesty, with all humility I pray thee, through that divine charity with which thou wast so bounteously enriched on thy Assumption into heaven, to vouchsafe me favour and pity, placing me under thy most safe and faithful protection, and receiving me into the number of thy happy and highly-favoured servants. Deign, Mother and Lady most tender, to accept my miserable heart, memory, will, powers, and senses, internal and external; govern them all in conformity to the good pleasure of thy Divine Son, as I intend by my every thought and deed to give thee glory and honour. And, by that wisdom with which thy well-beloved Son glorified thee, I pray and beseech thee to obtain for me light that I may clearly know myself and my own nothingness, and in particular my sins, that so I may hate and loathe them ; and that I may discern the snares of the infernal enemy, and all his modes of attack, whether open or hidden. Above all, most tender Mother, I beg of thee the grace of N.


Say three times:

Virgin of all virgins,
To thy shelter take us,
Gentlest of the gentle,
Chaste and gentle make us.


Let us pray.

Pardon, O Lord, pardon, we beseech Thee, the sins of thy servants; that we, who of our own actions know not how to please Thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of thy Son, our Lord. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless and preserve us. Amen.


(Indulgence of 300 days)

[aquinas138]

From Byzantine Vespers of the Dormition:

At the divine behest, the God-bearing apostles were caught up from whence they were, and, coming to thine all-pure and life-creating body, they venerated it with love. And the hosts of heaven above, arriving with their Master, were seized with awe as they accompanied the all-pure body which had received God; and they went forth in beauty and cried aloud invisibly to the hierarchies above: "Behold! the divine Maiden, the Queen of all, is come! Lift up your gates, and receive her above the world, who is the Mother of everlasting Light; for it is through her that salvation hath come to all the human race. We cannot gaze upon her, we are unable to render her fitting honor; for her excellence passeth all understanding!" Wherefore, O all-pure Theotokos, dwelling ever with thy life-bearing King and Offspring, pray thou without ceasing, that He preserve and save thy new people from every attack of the adversary; for we have acquired thine intercession, manifestly blessing thee with splendor forever.

[This doxastikon refers to the Eastern legends of the apostles being miraculously transported to the Virgin's deathbed, and the Lord appearing with the hosts of heaven to receive her soul into his hands.]

[Lynne]

Lovely! Thank you (both of you).

[Xavier]

Wonderful! Here is Sermon 3 of St. John Damscene on the Assumption.

[201] LOVERS are wont to speak of what they love, and to let their fancy run on it by day and night. Let no one therefore blame me, if I add a third tribute to the Mother of God, on her triumphant departure. I am not profiting her, but myself and you who are here present, putting before you a spiritual seasoning and refreshment in keeping with this holy night. We are suffering, as you see, from scarcity of eatables. Therefore I am extemporising a repast, which, if not very costly nor worthy of the occasion, will certainly be sufficient to still hunger. She does not need our praise. It is we who need her glory. How indeed can glory be glorified, or the source of light be enlightened? We are weaving a crown for ourselves in the doing. "I live," the Lord says, "and I will glorify those who glorify Me." [202] Wine is truly pleasant to drink, and bread to eat. The one rejoices, the other strengthens the heart of man. But what is sweeter than the Mother of my God? She has taken my mind captive, and held my tongue in bondage. I think of her by day and night. She, the Mother of the Word, supplies my words. The fruit of sterility makes sterile minds fruitful. We keep to-day the feast of her blessed and divine transit from this world. Let us then climb up the mystical mountain, where beyond the reach of worldly things, passing through the obscurity of storm, we stand in the divine light and may give praise to Almighty power. How does He, who dwells in the splendour of His glory, descend into the Virgin's womb without leaving the bosom of the Father? How is He conceived in the flesh, and does He spontaneously suffer, and suffer unto death, in that material body, gaining immortality through corruptibility? (fqora kthsamenoV to afqarton). And, again, ascending to the Father, He drew His Mother, according to the flesh, to His own Father, assuming into the heavenly country her who was heaven on earth.
To-day the living ladder, through whom the [203] Most High descended and was seen on earth, and conversed with men, was assumed into heaven by death. To-day the heavenly table, she, who contained the bread of life, the fire of the Godhead, without knowing man, was assumed from earth to heaven, and the gates of heaven opened wide to receive the gate of God from the East. To-day the living city of God is transferred from the earthly to the heavenly Jerusalem, and she, who, conceived her first-born and only Son, the first-born of all creation, the only begotten of the Father, rests in the Church of the first-born: the true and living Ark of the Lord is taken to the peace of her Son. The gates of heaven are opened to receive the receptacle of God, who, bringing forth the tree of life, destroyed Eve's disobedience and Adam's penalty of death. And Christ, the cause of all life, receives the chosen mirror, the mountain from which the stone without hands filled the whole earth. She, who brought about the Word's divine Incarnation, rests in her glorious tomb as in a bridal-chamber, whence she goes to the heavenly bridals, to share in the kingdom of her Son and God, leaving her tomb as a place of rest [204] for those on earth. Is her tomb indeed a resting-place? Yes, more famous than any other, not shining with gold, or silver, or precious stones, nor covered with silken, golden, or purple adornments, but with the divine radiance of the Holy Spirit. The angelic state is not for lovers of this world, but the wondrous life of the blessed is for the servants of the Spirit, and passing to God is better and sweeter than any other life. This tomb is fairer than Eden. And that I may not speak of the enemy's deceit, in the one; of his, so to say, clever counsel, his envy and covetousness, of Eve's weakness and pliability, the bait, sure and tempting, which cheated her and her husband, their disobedience, exile, and death, not to speak of these things so as not to turn our feast into sorrow, this grave gave up the mortal body it contained to the heavenly country. Eve became the mother of the human family, and is not man made after the divine image, convicted by her condemnation; "earth thou art, and unto earth thou shalt return." This tomb is more precious than the tabernacle of old, receiving the real and life-giving receptacle of the Lord, the heavenly table, not [205] the loaves of proposition, but of heaven, not material fire, but her who contained the pure fire of the Godhead. This tomb is holier than the ark of Moses, blessed not with types and shadows, but the truth itself. It showed forth the pure and golden urn, containing the heavenly manna, the living tablet, receiving the Incarnate Word of God from the impress of the Holy Spirit, the golden censer of the supersubstantial word. It showed forth her who conceived the divine fire embalming all creation.
Let demons take to flight, and the thrice miserable Nestorians perish as the Egyptians of old, and their ruler Pharao, the younger, a cruel devastator. They were swallowed up in the abyss of blasphemy. Let us who are saved with dry feet, crossing the bitter waters of impiety, raise our voices to the Mother of God at her departure. Let Mary, personifying the Church, lead the joyful strain. Let the maidens of the spiritual Jerusalem go out in singing choirs. Let kings and judges, with rulers, youths, and virgins, young and old, proclaim the Mother of God, and all peoples and nations in their different ways and tongues, sing a new canticle. Let the air resound with praise and [206] instrument, and the sun gladden this day of salvation. Rejoice, O heavens, and may the clouds rain justice. Be glad, O divine apostles, the chosen ones of God's flock, who seem to reach the highest visions, as lofty mountain tops. And you God's sheep, and His holy people, the flock of the Church, who look to the high mountains of perfection, be sad, for the fountain of life, God's Mother, is dead. It was necessary that what was made of earth should return to earth, and thus be assumed to heaven. It was fitting that the earthly tenement should be cast off, as gold is purified, so that the flesh in death might become pure and immortal, and rise in shining immortality from the tomb.
To-day she begins her second life through Him who was the cause of her first being. She gave a beginning, I mean, the life of the body, to Him who had no beginning in time, although the Father was the cause of His divine existence. Rejoice holy and divine Mount Sion, in which reposes the living divine mountain, the new Bethel, with its grace, human nature united with the Godhead. From thee her Son ascended to heaven as [207] from the olives. Let the world-embracing cloud be prepared and the winds gather the apostles to Mount Sion from the ends of the earth. Who are these who soar up as clouds and eagles to the cause of all resurrection, ministering to the Mother of God? Who is she who rises resplendent, all pure, and bright as the sun?
Let the spiritual lyres sing to her, the apostolic tongues. Let grave theologians raise their voices in praise, Hierotheus, the vessel of election, in whom the Holy Spirit abides, knowing and teaching divine things by the divine indwelling. Let him be wrapt out of the body and join willingly in the joyful hymn. Let all nations clap their hands and praise the Mother of God. Let angels minister to her body. Follow your Queen, O daughters of Jerusalem, and, together with her virgins in the spirit, approach your Bridegroom in order to sit at His right hand.
Make haste, Lord, to give Thy Mother the welcome which is her due. Stretch out Thy divine hands. Receive Thy Mother's soul into the Father's hands unto which Thou didst commend Thy spirit on the Cross. Speak sweet words to her: [208] "Come, my beloved, whose purity is more dazzling than the sun, thou gavest me of thy own, receive now what is mine. Come, my Mother, to thy Son, reign with Him who was poor with thee." Depart, O Queen, depart, not as Moses did who went up to die. Die rather that thou mayest ascend. Give up thy soul into the hands of thy Son. Return earth to the earth, it will be no obstacle. Lift up your eyes, O people of God. See in Sion the Ark of the Lord God of powers, and the apostles standing by it, burying the life-giving body which received our Lord. Invisible angels are all around in lowly reverence doing homage to the Mother of their Lord. The Lord Himself is there, who is present everywhere, and filling all things, the universal Being, not in place. He is the Author and Creator of all things. Behold the Virgin, the daughter of Adam and Mother of God; through Adam she gives her body to the earth, her soul to her Son above in the heavenly courts. Let the holy city be sanctified, and rejoice in eternal praise. Let angels precede the divine tabernacle on its passage, and prepare the tomb. Let the [209] radiance of the spirit adorn it. Let sweet ointment be made ready and poured over the pure and undefiled body. Let a clear stream of grace flow from grace in its source. Let the earth be sanctified by contact with that body. Let the air rejoice at the Assumption. Let gentle breezes waft grace. Let all nature keep the feast of the Mother of God's Assumption. May youthful bands applaud and eloquent tongues acclaim her, and wise hearts ponder on the wonder, priests hoary with age gather strength at the sight. Let all creation emulate heaven, even so the true measure of rejoicing would not be reached.
Come, let us depart with her. Come, let us descend to that tomb with all our heart's desire. Let us draw round that most sacred bed and sing the sweet words, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Hail, predestined Mother of God. Hail, thou chosen one in the design of God from all eternity, most sacred hope of earth, resting-place of divine fire, holiest delight of the Spirit, fountain of living water, paradise of the tree of life, divine vine-branch, bringing forth soul-sustaining nectar and ambrosia. Full river of spiritual graces, fertile land of the [210] divine pastures, rose of purity, with the sweet fragrance of grace, lily of the royal robe, pure Mother of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, token of our redemption, handmaid and Mother, surpassing angelic powers." Come, let us stand round that pure tomb and draw grace to our hearts. Let us raise the ever-virginal body with spiritual arms, and go with her into the grave to die with her. Let us renounce our passions, and live with her in purity, listening to the divine canticles of angels in the heavenly courts. Let us go in adoring, and learn the wondrous mystery by which she is assumed to heaven, to be with her Son, higher than all the angelic choirs. No one stands between Son and Mother.
This, O Mother of God, is my third sermon on thy departure, in lowly reverence to the Holy Trinity to whom thou didst minister, the goodness of the Father, the power of the Spirit, receiving the Uncreated Word, the Almighty Wisdom and Power of God. Accept, then, my good-will, which is greater than my capacity, and give us salvation. Heal our passions, cure our diseases, help us out of our difficulties, make our lives peaceful, send [211] us the illumination of the Spirit. Inflame us with the desire of thy son. Render us pleasing to Him, so that we may enjoy happiness with Him, seeing thee resplendent with thy Son's glory, rejoicing for ever, keeping feast in the Church with those who worthily celebrate Him who worked our salvation through thee, Christ the Son of God, and our God. To Him be glory and majesty, with the uncreated Father and the all-holy and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, through the endless ages of eternity. Amen.

[Prayerful]

What is interesting too is how a very ancient Mass was removed from the calendar by Pius XII in 1950, replaced with something quite like a Saturday BVM Mass.

Vespers & Mass Feast of Assumption St Andrew's Missal 1940 / 1947

Rad Trad: gaudeamus-omnes-assumpta-est-maria

[LausTibiChriste]

Pius XII was a modernist

[Prayerful]

Pius XII was a modernist

He did give us Annibale Bugnini as chief liturgist who was given licence to wreck Holy Week (a piece of work so dubious that the NOM HW manages to be somewhat better), but did reject the junk antiquarianism in Mediator Dei which fueled liturgical radicals who were celebrating versus populum long before the NOM. Concilium did put boilerplate disclaimers that their working on the NOM was in no way antiquarian.

[VeraeFidei]

Pius XII was a modernist

Whose protege was one Giovanni Battista Montini.

[Kaesekopf]

Pius XII was a modernist

Whose protege was one Giovanni Battista Montini.

Fact

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