The dogma of the Assumption refers to the fact that the Mother of God, after her earthly life, was raised body and soul to heavenly glory.
Now, why is it important for Catholics to remember and deepen the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven? According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin constitutes a singular participation in the Resurrection of her Son and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians” (CCC 966).
The importance of the Assumption for us lies in the relationship between the Resurrection of Christ and ours. The presence of Mary, a human being like us, who is already glorified body and soul in Heaven, is just that: an anticipation of our own resurrection.
St. John Paul II tells us: “The dogma of the Assumption affirms that Mary’s body was glorified after her death. In fact, while for other men the resurrection of their bodies will take place at the end of the world, for Mary the glorification of her body was anticipated by a singular privilege” (St. John Paul II, July 2, 1997).
“Contemplating the mystery of the Assumption of the Virgin, it is possible to understand the plan of Divine Providence with regard to humanity: after Christ, the Incarnate Word, Mary is the first human creature to realize the eschatological ideal, anticipating the fullness of happiness, promised to the elect through the resurrection of bodies” (St. John Paul II, General Audience of July 9, 1997).
Today’s men and women live pending the enigma of death. Even if we approach it in different ways, depending on the culture and beliefs we have, even if we avoid it in our thinking, even if we try by all means at our disposal to prolong our days on earth, we all have a great need for that certain hope of immortality contained in Christ’s promise of our future resurrection.
The mystery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven invites us to pause from the hectic life we lead to reflect on the meaning of our life here on earth, on our ultimate goal: Eternal Life, together with the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Angels and Saints in Heaven. Knowing that Mary is already in Heaven glorious in body and soul, as promised to those of us who do God’s Will, renews our hope in our future immortality and perfect happiness forever.
ACI Prensa, “¿Qué es el Dogma de la Asunción?”, aciprensa.com, accessed 14 august 2024, https://www.aciprensa.com/recurso/2367/que-es-el-dogma-de-la-asuncion