His Holiness Pope Francis on Assumption: The Blessed Mother leads us toward eternal life
During his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Holiness Pope Francis reminds the faithful that the Blessed Mother should never be confused for a motionless statue, but rather always recognized as our hardworking companion, preceding us joyfully on our quest toward Heaven with the Lord.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Mary, our Mother, leads us, joyfully, toward Her Son...
His Holiness Pope Francis gave this reassurance during his Angelus address on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
On 1 November 1950, His Holiness Pope Pius XII declared the Blessed Mother's Assumption into Heaven as dogma in his Apostolic Constitution 'Munificentissimus Deus,' which asserts that Blessed Virgin Mary "by an entirely unique privilege, completely overcame sin by her Immaculate Conception," and as a result, "she was not subject to the law of remaining in the corruption of the grave, and she did not have to wait until the end of time for the redemption of her body."
His Holiness Pope Pius XII went on to infallibly declare, that "the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."
As the Church observes the Solemnity on 15 August, His Holiness Pope Francis remembered that today's Gospel offers us the dialogue between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth.
As we contemplate the young girl of Nazareth, who, having just received the Angel’s announcement, set out to visit her cousin, the Pope highlighted the expression, 'Mary set out and went,' and call it "beautiful."
Sets out joyfully in haste
This means, he marveled, "that Mary does not consider the news she received from the angel a privilege," but, on the contrary," "she leaves home and sets out with the haste of someone who wishes to announce that joy to others and with the eagerness to be of service to her cousin."
In reality, he observed, this first journey "is a metaphor for her whole life," because "from that moment on, Mary will always be on the move following Jesus as a disciple of the Kingdom."
And, in the end, His Holiness Pope Francis remembered, Our Lady's earthly pilgrimage concludes with her Assumption into Heaven where, "together with her Son, she enjoys the joy of eternal life forever."
“Together with her Son, she enjoys the joy of eternal life forever.”
This news was originally published on the website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.