The Assumption of Mary,

is the traditional belief held by the Church that the Virgin Mary, “…having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” This means Mary, as Jesus’ mother, was given the divine gift of being taken body and soul to Heaven upon her death. This doctrine was dogmatically and infallibly defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in his Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus.

In his August 15, 2004, homily given at Lourdes, Pope John Paul II quoted John 14:3 from the Bible as a scriptural basis for understanding the dogma of the Assumption of Mary. In this verse, Jesus tells his disciples at the Last Supper, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.”

According to Catholic theology, Mary is the pledge of the fulfilment of Christ’s promise. However, many theologians disagree with this interpretation of Scripture, and believe that Christ was speaking about his preparation for Calvary and the crucifixion for the remission of sins.

This Thursday, 15 August, is the Feast of the Assumption. Our Parish Masses for this feast day will be 8.30am at St Peter’s, Coolum and 5.00pm at Stella Maris, Maroochydore.