Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org
August 15 marks the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary who was conceived without sin, remained sinless through Her life, and was taken body and soul into Heaven.
It is a feast that glorifies Blessed Mary, the Mother of the Incarnated God and the Prince of Peace, whose assumption into Heaven marks a unique and a nonpareil event in the history of life on Earth while reflecting Her divine personality.
Blessed Mary is not only the mother of Lord Jesus Christ, but rather the mother of all the people who lost their mothers. She is the divine mother of the entire humanity whose intercession is exigently needed to restore peace at the personal level, as well at the global level at large.
On the other hand, a reference was made to the relevant Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII titled, "Munificentissimus Deus Defining the Dogma of the Assumption," dated, November 1, 1950, which states: "Actually God, who from all eternity regards Mary with a most favorable and unique affection, has 'when the fullness of time came' put the plan of his providence into effect in such a way that all the privileges and prerogatives he had granted to her in his sovereign generosity were to shine forth in her in a kind of perfect harmony. And, although the Church has always recognized this supreme generosity and the perfect harmony of graces and has daily studied them more and more throughout the course of the centuries, still it is in our own age that the privilege of the bodily Assumption into heaven of Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, has certainly shone forth more clearly."
With the bodily Assumption of Blessed Mary into Heaven, it is important to note that She outshines every aspect of life, being an icon of mercy and compassion whose intercession helps quench the thirst for genuine peace through inspiring lasting solutions and a sense of tranquility amidst conflicts or hardships currently prevailing in various parts of the world which includes the Middle East and Europe.
With hands lifted up in prayers for eliminating all forms of violence including persecution and wars, the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) joined the International Union of Superiors General in its call to pray and fast for world peace on August 14, the eve of the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Executive President of ACN International Regina Lynch stated, “On this feast of her assumption into heaven, we recall that there is a woman, in body and spirit, at the side of Our Lord. No doubt she will be sympathetic to the pain and anguish that the women religious are witnessing and shall intercede for an end to the conflicts."
With the Assumption of Blessed Mary signifying God’s crowning Her as she ends her earthly life, it also indicates that the faithful will definitely follow their Mother, Blessed Mary, into Heaven when their earthly life ends and be with the Glorious Lord, namely Jesus Christ.
It is rather important to note that at the time when this Divine anniversary necessitates renovation of the values of love, may such values interact with life by enrooting commitment to seeking the intercession of Blessed Mary's merciful care for humanity.