Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary: Why is it a day of obligation in many countries?

Every year, the Catholic Church commemorates the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, the date on which her glorious ascent to heaven is remembered. Although the date of this celebration was established in 1950, the history of the dogma has roots in the early years of Christianity.

He numeral 1246 of the Code of Canon Law indicates that this feast is of obligation, that is, a solemnity in which the Catholic has the obligation to participate in the Mass.

However, in the same section it is indicated that “the Episcopal Conference, with prior approval from the Apostolic See, may delete or move to Sunday some of the holy days of obligation.” For this reason, in some countries it is not mandatory.

Dr. Matthew Bunson, vice president of EWTN News, noted that “as the Virgin Mary’s earthly life comes to an end, the Assumption helps us more fully understand not only her life, but helps us always focus our gaze on eternity”.

“We see in Mary the logic of the Assumption as the culmination of her life. A Eucharistic requirement for that day is very appropriate,” she continued.

The dogma of the Assumption of Mary, also called the “Dormion of Mary” in the Eastern churches, has its roots in the first centuries of the Church. The Catholic Church teaches that when Mary ended her earthly life, God elevated her body and soul to heaven.

This belief traces its roots to the early years of the Church. While a site outside Jerusalem was recognized as Mary’s tomb, early Christians maintained that “there was no one there,” Bunson claimed.

According to St. John Damascene, at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, the Roman Emperor Marcian requested the body of the Mother of God. Saint Juvenal, who was Bishop of Jerusalem, replied “that Mary died in the presence of all the apostles, but that her tomb, when opened at the request of Saint Thomas, was found empty; from which the apostles concluded that her body was taken to heaven.”

In the 8th century, around the time of Pope Hadrian, the Church began to change its terminology, renaming the feast from the “Memorial of Mary” to the “Assumption of Mary,” Bunson noted.

Belief in the Assumption of Mary was a widespread tradition and a frequent meditation in the writings of saints throughout the centuries. However, it was not officially defined until the last century.

In 1950, Pope Pius XII made an infallible “ex-cathedra” declaration in the apostolic constitution. The most bountiful Godofficially defining the dogma of the Assumption.

“With the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul and with our own, we pronounce, declare and define to be divinely revealed dogma that The Immaculate Mother of God and ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was Assume body and soul to the glory of heaven,” the Pope wrote.

In the decree, which was approved in advance by dioceses around the world, Pope Pius XII examined centuries of Christian thought and the writings of various saints on the Assumption of Mary.

“We have throughout the history of the Church an almost universal testimony of this. We have this thread that runs through the entire history of the Church in support of dogma. That is significant because it supports the tradition of the Church, but it also supports a deeper understanding of the teachings of the Church of how we rely on the reflections of some of the greatest minds of the Church,” Bunson said.

What is also notable about the dogma, he added, is that it “uses the passive tense,” emphasizing that Mary did not ascend to heaven by her own power, as Christ did, but was elevated to heaven by the grace of God.

Currently, the Solemnity of the Assumption is marked as a great day of celebration and obligation in several countries, including the United States.

Dr. Bunson explained that on important holidays it is necessary to highlight their real meaning, emphasizing the need to celebrate the Eucharist that day.

“Would there be anything more appropriate than on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, once again, to focus on her Son, on the Eucharist?” he questioned.

This article was originally published on August 15, 2018. Translated and adapted by ACI Prensa. Originally published in CNA. It has been updated for republication.