When Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption on November 1st, 1950, it was a cause of great joy throughout the Catholic world.The doctrine of the Assumption says that at the end of her life on earth Mary was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. Some people think Catholics believe Mary ‘ascended’ into heaven. That’s not correct. Christ, by his own power, ascended into heaven. Mary was ‘assumed’ or taken up into heaven by God. She didn’t do it under her own power.
Our Lady is brought to heaven to share in the glory and joy of her Son Jesus because of her unique role and because of her response in saying “Yes” to God’s call. It was the crowning grace of Mary’s friendship with God.
What Mary has experienced after death is also what we also look forward to. We look forward to what we profess in the profession of faith: “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.”
The feast of the assumption tells us that Mary has completed her earthly pilgrimage and she was assumed - her body and soul went into heaven. We are not born for this earth but for heaven. We shall look forward to our resurrection on the last day where we shall experience the heavenly glory and enjoy the vision of God in heaven.
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