The Fourth Glorious Mystery:
The Assumption of Mary

Mary, the new Eve and mother of the Church, “enjoying beforehand, by a unique privilege, the destiny reserved for all the just at the resurrection of the dead” was assumed into heaven and reunited with her divine son, our Lord Jesus Christ (RVM 23).

“‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name’” (Lk 1:46–49).

Mary, the new Eve and mother of the Church, “enjoying beforehand, by a unique privilege, the destiny reserved for all the just at the resurrection of the dead” was assumed into heaven and reunited with her divine son, our Lord Jesus Christ (RVM 23). Such a joyful reunion! All the hosts of heaven join the Holy Trinity in the celebration.

Our Blessed Mother rightly follows Our Lord into eternity and beckons us, her spiritual children, to likewise follow Christ through this world and into the next.

“The Feast of the Assumption is a strong appeal to us to live ‘ever intent upon heavenly things,’ and not to allow ourselves to be carried away by the vicissitudes and seductions of the world. Not only was our soul created for heaven, but also our body, which, after the resurrection, will be welcomed into our heavenly home and admitted to a participation in the glory of the spirit. Today we contemplate in Mary, our Mother, this total glorification of our humanity. That which has been wholly realized in her, will be realized for us, as well as for all the saints, only at the end of time” (Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, Fire Within).

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

“It was fitting that she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had carried the Creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles. It was fitting that the spouse, whom the Father had taken to himself, should live in the divine mansions. It was fitting that she, who had seen her Son upon the cross and who had thereby received into her heart the sword of sorrow which she had escaped when giving birth to him, should look upon him as he sits with the Father. It was fitting that God’s Mother should possess what belongs to her Son, and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and as the handmaid of God” (St. John Damascene, Dormition of Mary, 697 AD).

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is reunited with his Holy Mother. The Creator of Heaven and earth has ascended to heaven and calls his mother to join him at the end of her earthly life. The greatest mother-child reunion of all history unfolds, though indeed they were never truly a part. Jesus ever reflects the humanity of Mary, as Mary reflects the Divinity of Jesus. And Mother Mary’s resurrected body further testifies to the truth that all the faithful—all the siblings of Jesus—all the children of Mary—shall likewise be resurrected and enter eternal life at the end of this age. We shall share in their joy; we too shall joy in the heavenly reunion.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

“In her, assumed into heaven, we are shown the eternal destiny that awaits us beyond the mystery of death: a destiny of total happiness in divine glory. This supernatural vision sustains our daily pilgrimage” (St. John Paul II).

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“Taken up into heaven, Mary shows us the way to God, the way to heaven, the way to life. She shows it to her children baptized in Christ and to all people of good will” (St. John Paul II).

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“By looking at Mary’s Assumption into Heaven we understand better that even though our daily life may be marked by trials and difficulties, it flows like a river to the divine ocean, to the fullness of joy and peace” (Pope Benedict XVI).