Happy Feast of the
Assumption!
The
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed,
was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares
in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all
members of his Body. – Catechism of the Catholic Church 974
Pope Pius XII solemnly defined the
dogma of the Assumption in 1950. This
gives rise to the belief among some people that he invented it a mere 65 years
ago. But defining a doctrine is not the
same as inventing it. The Assumption has
been part of mainstream Christian belief from the beginning. The following are just two quotes from the
Fathers of the Church to demonstrate that fact.
And
from that time forth all knew that the spotless and precious body had been transferred
to paradise" – John of Damascus
(A.D. 676-749)
"But
Mary, the glorious Mother of Christ, who is believed to be a virgin both before
and after she bore him, has, as we said above, been translated into paradise,
amid the singing of the angelic choirs, whither the Lord preceded her" –
Gregory Thaumaturgus (A.D. 213-270) – Four Homilies
