The Solemnity of the Assumption: Adding in Marian Wonder

By Jennifer Gregory Miller ( bio - articles - email ) | Aug 13, 2021 | In The Liturgical Year

This Sunday, August 15th, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since we are in Ordinary Time, the solemnity supercedes the Sunday liturgy. If the Assumption fell during the liturgical seasons such as Advent, Lent or Easter, those Sundays would take precedence and the solemnity would be celebrated the following day. It is a solemnity and a holy day of obligation, but since it falls on Sunday, the Sunday Mass obligation applies to this day.

Celebrating the Assumption this Sunday interrupts the Bread of Life discourse Gospel readings on Sunday. This Sunday would have been the Gospel passage John 6:51-58. Next Sunday will have the conclusion from John, 6:60-69.

But I digress. I’ve written before on this marvelous feast day and some of the traditions and blessings related to this feast (see my links at the end of this article). But every year I try to look at the feast and see if I can gain a new perspective. It’s nothing profound today except a little thought, taking a step back and adding in wonder for Mary.

School begins in a few weeks for my sons. Both are working on the summer reading and math packets. My brain has been in “math mode” thinking out word problems.

I started thinking about how much I take Mary and devotion to her for granted. I hear and repeat her titles: Mary, Mother of God; Mary, Ever-Virgin; the Blessed Virgin Mary, etc. Yeah, yeah, Mary was conceived without original sin. Her body was assumed into heaven. I pray the rosary, and do other forms of Marian devotion. I honor Mary, but I hear it so often that it is almost taken for granted. How much do I stop and really let Marian devotion affect me? Do I allow myself to ponder and wonder at the glorious gifts God has given her? Do I thank God for the gift of Mary?

I started thinking in algebraic equations of what we know about Mary. We have the Scriptures about Mary, including prophecies about her role. Added to that we have the ex cathedra statements providing the dogmas on her Immaculate Conception and Assumption of her mortal body into heaven.

So in my musing, I made up SIMPLE equations (and not really accurately mathematical nor comprehensive):

IF we have Divine Revelation about Mary and dogma about the Immaculate Conception, THEN the Assumption has to happen. No sinless body should remain on earth to decay.

And IF we have Revelation about Mary, the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and Assumption, THEN Mary is definitely worthy of hyperdulia.

Or, using an even more slang approach, IF we recognize all these gifts God gave to Mary, THEN, wow, Mary is amazing! How often do I forget to marvel and give thanks to God and honor His Immaculate Mother?

What a blessing to have this Marian summer feast day. Having this feast somewhat isolated gives room for that time to ponder and wonder. It’s a time for me to recharge my devotion to Mary.

For Further Reading on the Assumption:

• Feastday Highlights: The Assumption and Our Lady’s Thirty Days
• Singing Our Lady’s Praises
• The Catholic Tradition of Harvest Feasts of Thanksgiving
• Understanding our Family’s High Feasts
• Reading the Fine Print for our Liturgical Calendar (Part 1)