Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary

Mass Reading 1: Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab

God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.  She was with

child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems.  Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth.  She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne.  The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.  

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One."

Reflection on the Reading

From the earliest days of the Church, "The woman clothed with the Sun" has been a clear reference to Mary, the Mother of God and "Queen of Heaven". "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.  The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians" (966 CCC).

As seen by this reading from the book of Revelation, Mary's "Queenship" has its roots in Sacred Scripture.  In addition to this passage, Mary's Queenship can also be noticed in the Annunciation, when Gabriel announced that Mary's Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever.  How could a Son be King if His Mother was not a Queen?  Overall, Mary's Queenship is a share in Christ's Kingship.


For more on Mary’s Queenship: https://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1115

Assumption of Mary

Assumption of Mary

While Scripture reveals nothing about Mary’s death, St. John Damascene (d. 749) recorded a story reportedly shared at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD that Mary had died in the presence of the Apostles, but when the tomb was opened they found it empty, “wherefrom the Apostles concluded that they body was taken up to Heaven”.  From this testimony the Church has taught that Mary was assumed bodily and now tastes the Resurrection for which all Christians hope.    

To learn more about Marian Dogmas: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/The%20Four%20Marian%20Dogmas.htm

Annunciation Prayer (from the Orthodox Church)

Lord who came down from heaven
and stayed in the womb of St. Mary,
after making the annunciation
to her through his head of angels, is blessed.
The Lord is blessed whom the heaven and earth,
Angels and mankind are praising always.
Oh Lord let the intercession of your mother
be a fort for us all.

Peace be unto thee,
Mother of the Sun of righteousness.
Peace be unto thee, the palace of holiness,
Peace be unto thee the ship full of blessings,
the fruit of your virginity is blessed,
Holy Mother please pray for us,
so that we would also be holy like you in our lives.
Lord have mercy upon us.

Lord Jesus,
who was kind enough
to take the presence in humble virgin,
kindly live in us
and redeem us from the strong bondages of sins and death.
Lord make us good and worthy divine homes,
so that you could stay in us.

Lord who had been kind enough
to take the human body from the virgin,
unite us all in your peace.
Unite us all with your grace.
Fill your love in us
so that we could share the love
with you and among us all.
Make us worthy to praise thee
with your blessed Mother and all the saints.

Holy virgin Mother, you are blessed,
By thy prayers
let the Holy church and her children
be saved from all sorts of calamities
and let all the departed get forgiveness for their sins.
Amen.

Catholic Apologetics

Ever been asked to explain the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption?  Click here for a great link regarding these topics.

Pray the Rosary!!!

This weekend our community will welcome a number of young men discerning the monastic way of life for a "Come and See" weekend.  Today, on this feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, I ask that you please offer a rosary for their intentions and that the Lord may speak to their hearts and show them his will and that our Lady may guide and nurtue them to her son.

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother Mary!!!

Lady Mary  

(By: Fredrick M. Lynk)

 

Lady Mary, through the airy
Realm of Eden sang a flute;
Sang the power of the flower
Sprung from Jesse's noble root.

Lady Mary, the unwary
World has blessed thy motherhood,
For the Son has in love's oneness
With thee saved Eve's hapless brood.

Lady Mary, luminary,
Walkest still thy starry path,
Ever praying for the straying
To appease the Godhead's wrath.

Lady Mary, God's own fairy,
On eternity's green shore,
Let us meet thee, let us greet thee
In the kingdom evermore.

The Ark which God has Sanctified (from Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal)

The ark which God has sanctified,
Which He has filled with grace,
Within the temple of the Lord
Has found a resting-place.

More glorious than the seraphim,
This ark of love divine,
Corruption could not blemish her
Whom death could not confine.

God-bearing Mother, Virgin chaste,
Who shines in heaven's sight;
She wears a royal crown of stars
Who is the door of Light.

To Father, Son and Spirit blest
may we give endless praise
With Mary, who is Queen of heaven,
Through everlasting days.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - "Flos Carmeli" Prayer of St. Simon Stock

O beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, Splendor of Heaven, holy and singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a Pure Virgin, assist me in this necessity.  O Star of the sea, help and protect me!
Show me that Thou art my Mother.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!

Mother and Ornament of Carmel, Pray for us!
 
Virgin, Flower of Carmel, Pray for us!
 
Patroness of all who wear the Scapular, Pray for us!
 
Hope of all who die wearing the Scapular, Pray for us!
 
St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, Pray for us!
 
St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of Mary, Pray for us!
 
St. Joseph, Our Patron, Pray for us!
 
O sweet Heart of Mary, Be our salvation!

Seek Grace through Mary

Here is another great reflection from Fr. Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R. (friend of our Gabriel Myriam, O.S.B.).  Fr. Dabney is the Mission Preacher of Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the beautiful "Mission Church" in Boston.  For more great reflections from Fr. Dabney, click here .

Seek Grace Through Mary from The Mission Church on Vimeo.

The Assumption of Our Blessed Lady!!!