Dear Friends,
As I write this column we are preparing for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, when the Blessed Mother, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory,” as was written by Pope Pius XII in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus.
The Solemnity of the Assumption is a testament not only to the tremendous love which God has for the Blessed Mother, but also a powerful reminder of the love which Jesus Christ has demonstrated for all of us, in conquering death through His death.
Due to the fact that August 15th falls on a Saturday this year, the Assumption is not considered by the Church a Holy Day of Obligation for 2009. But, although the Assumption is not a Holy Day of Obligation, we should not forget that it remains a Holy Day! Since we should aim at attending Mass primarily out of love for the Eucharist rather than a sense of obligation, we should make every effort to attend Mass this Saturday morning, if we can. Though the obligation is removed this year and failure to attend Mass would not amount to a mortal sin, we have been given an opportunity to attend Mass on Saturday morning, purely out of love!
The Feast of the Assumption gives us a picture of the destiny of our human bodies to be raised up to heaven with Jesus and Mary. This feast points to the dignity of the human body, which unfortunately today, from the evils of abortion, to in-vitro fertilization, to euthanasia, is treated as a simple thing, rather than as belonging fully to a human being who is destined for glory with Mary and like Mary.
Let us pray to Mary fervently, on Saturday and everyday, that our country and culture will come to its senses about the heavenly destiny and dignity of the human body.
Blessings to all of our students who will be heading back to school in the coming weeks, and blessings to all of you as your summers wind down. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Praised be Jesus Christ!