Mass times: 8AM, 12PM, and 6PM at St. Francis of Assisi, Castle Rock on August 15th.
The Feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15th, is a significant event in the Christian calendar, particularly within the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. This day commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a day filled with reverence and joy, as Mary’s Assumption is seen as a foretaste of the resurrection that all Christians hope for. The doctrine of the Assumption underscores Mary’s unique role in salvation history, as the mother of Jesus, who was preserved from original sin and taken up into eternal glory.
This feast day is not only a time for theological reflection but also a day for communal celebration. Across the world, churches hold special masses, processions, and prayers in honor of Mary. In many cultures, the Assumption is a public holiday, marked by vibrant festivities, including the blessing of herbs and flowers, which symbolize the beauty and purity of Mary. The traditions associated with this day often reflect the deep devotion to Mary, who is seen as a loving intercessor and protector for the faithful. The Assumption also serves as a reminder of the dignity and destiny of all human life, offering hope and inspiration to believers.
For many, the Assumption of Mary is a source of personal comfort and spiritual renewal. It invites the faithful to contemplate the mystery of life, death, and what lies beyond. The image of Mary being taken up into heaven reassures believers of God’s promise of eternal life and the special place that awaits those who are faithful. As we celebrate this feast, we are called to renew our devotion to Mary and to reflect on how her example of faith, humility, and obedience can guide us in our own spiritual journeys.
“… the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”
— CCC 966
also:
“We pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”
— Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, 1950
