Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary is the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up into heaven after her death. The Assumption is a doctrine of the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy, but not of Protestant denominations. It is celebrated through a feast and celebration in the Catholic Church.

This celebration is in direct reference to events around the end of the Vigin Mary’s life. It represents not only the physical departure of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, but also the spiritual departure from Earth. Her body and soul have been taken from Earth and are now in the presence of God.

Dogmas are a set of beliefs defined by the Church, often through divine revelation. There are four Marian dogmas, or beliefs, related to Mary. Those Marian dogmas are the Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity of Mary, Mother of God, and finally the Assumption of Mary. Pope Pius XII defined it as a dogma in 1950:

“We proclaim and define it to be a dogma revealed by God that the immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever virgin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven.”

There are different ways of celebrating the Assumption of Mary based on individual denominations. Orthodox Christians fast for the fifteen days leading up to the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. For many Catholics and Lutherans, August 15th is the date to celebrate the Assumption of Mary and is a Holy Day of Obligation.

In many countries, the Assumption of Mary is referred to as Assumption Day, marking August 15th as a public holiday. Religious parades and festivals are often held in these countries.