"The dogma of the Assumption affirms that Mary's body was glorified after her death. In fact, while for other human beings the resurrection of the body will take place at the end of the world, for Mary the glorification of her body was anticipated by a special privilege.
"On 1 November 1950, in defining the dogma of the Assumption, Pius XII avoided using the term 'resurrection' and did not take a position on the question of the Blessed Virgin’s death as a truth of faith. The Bull Munificentissimus Deus limits itself to affirming the elevation of Mary’s body to heavenly glory, declaring this truth a 'divinely revealed dogma.'
"How can we not see that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin has always been part of the faith of the Christian people who, by affirming Mary’s entrance into heavenly glory, have meant to proclaim the glorification of her body?" (John Paul II, Audience, 2 July 1997)
1. “The Blessed Virgin, Cause of our Joy”
A homily by Saint Josemaria published in "Christ is Passing By," given on the feast of our Lady's Assumption into heaven, 15 August 1961.
2. Commentary on the Gospel for the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Lady
"In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth." Mary’s readiness to serve her cousin reflects the joy of her diligent and humble love. The maiden from Nazareth has just accepted her exalted vocation as the Mother of God. But this ineffable gift doesn’t turn her attention on herself. Rather we see Mary’s heart overflowing with a spirit of service and loving concern for others.
3. Life of Mary: Dormition and Assumption
A chapter from the "Life of Mary" series explaining the theological meaning of Mary's being taken up into heaven, body and soul.
4. Jerusalem: The Assumption of Mary
A video about the place where, according to Christian tradition, the dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place.
5. Angelus on the Feast of the Assumption (Pope Francis, 2022)
"What does that canticle of Mary mean? What is the meaning? She does not intend to chronicle the time — she is not a journalist — but to tell us something much more important: that God, through her, has inaugurated a historical turning point; he has definitively established a new order of things. She, small and humble, has been raised up and — we celebrate this today — brought to the glory of Heaven, while the powerful of the world are destined to remain empty-handed."
6. Homily on the Assumption (Pope Benedict XVI, 2005)
"Only if God is great is humankind also great." A homily about the link between Mary's Assumption and our ordinary lives.
7. Commentary on the 4th Glorious Mystery of the Rosary
"Jesus wants to have His Mother, body and soul, in Heaven." The chapter on Mary's Assumption into Heaven in St. Josemaria's Holy Rosary.
8. Dormition and Assumption: Magisterium, Saints, Poets
"Thou art all fair, oh my love, and there is not a spot in thee..." Texts from the Magisterium of the Church, saints and Christian poets on our Lady's passage from this world and entry into heaven.
Frequently asked questions about this traditional Marian devotion.
10. 15 August 1951: Consecration of the Work to the Most Sweet Heart of Mary
The 1950s were years of great suffering for St. Josemaría, due to misunderstandings and conflicts. In the midst of these difficulties, he decided to go to Loreto to place himself and the Work under our Lady's protection.
