This Solemnity includes a Vigil Mass (Evening Mass) and a Mass During the Day. Most people will use the readings for the Mass During the Day for all the Masses. We have traditionally celebrated six Holy Days in the United States, though the Ascension has been moved to a Sunday in most US dioceses. Three of the six are feasts about the Blessed Mother. This fact shows us the important place Mary has in the Church, but it may be difficult for people to distinguish one feast from another. They all tie into our theology about Mary, chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
The origin of today’s feast is complex as is true of the history of any part of the liturgical year. There wasn’t one tradition practiced by every Christian community all over the world. A custom would begin in one place and then spread to other Christian communities. We know that a memorial of Mary’s “Dormition” or “falling asleep” has been celebrated since the Sixth Century in parts of the Holy Land. It may have begun at the tomb of Mary.
Some people may be confused by the word “Assumption.” The word used here has nothing to do with making suppositions or jumping to conclusions. The feast celebrates the “taking up” of Mary into heaven. We believe that Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Today’s Preface tells us that Mary is “the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection.”
There are no Scripture passages that tell this story, but it can be found in our traditional teachings and writings from early on in the Church. Mary was conceived without sin (Immaculate Conception), and she was always “full of grace.” Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life. She has been crowned in glory and taken her place in heaven.
The Gospel is the story of a pregnant Mary traveling to meet her cousin Elizabeth. Mary responds to Elizabeth’s joy with the words of the prayer we call the Magnificat. Mary considers herself a “lowly servant” of God, surprised that she has been chosen by God. There are many musical versions of the Magnificat that might be used today so that we can share Mary’s words and consider their meaning for our time.
There are two other themes in this prayer. First, God does not act as we might expect. God does not esteem the proud, the mighty, or the rich. God’s favor rests on the lowly and the hungry. There is a reminder of the Beatitudes in these verses. Second, there is a strong emphasis on God’s certain promise of mercy.
Read and pray Mary’s Magnificat as you prepare to celebrate this Marian feast. You can find it online in the readings for today or by just entering “Magnificat” into your browser. (Lectionary #622)