Mary's Glory and Our Hope

Today is the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the All-Holy Theotokos who followed Christ her Son from the moment of His Incarnation in her womb to the foot of the cross, then on to the resurrection, Pentecost, and her unique participation in the fullness of her Son's risen glory after completing her earthly pilgrimage. The Mother of our Redeemer has become the mother of all His brothers and sisters, caring for each one of us with the tenderness of her maternal solicitude and helping us along the way to our final and true home in the inexhaustible loving embrace of the Triune God. 

The Catechism expresses the truth of this "glorious mystery" of Mary's Assumption: "The Most Holy Virgin Mary, when her earthly life was completed, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. There she shares in the glory of the Resurrection of her Son and experiences the resurrection of all the members of his body as a forerunner" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 974).

In his homily today, Pope Leo exhorts us:  "Let us follow the light of the Risen Lord... especially today, by looking to Mary, whom God has crowned with glory in body and soul, and whom he has given to us as Mother, guide, companion on our journey, and protector on the path to Heaven" (Homily, August 15, 2026). 

And thus our hearts pray in union with the priest's words in the Liturgy: "For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people; rightly you would not allow her to see the corruption of the tomb since from her own body she marvellously brought forth your incarnate Son, the Author of all life" (from the Preface for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God).