The Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary

 

[caption id="attachment_674" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Assumption of Mary"][/caption]

Every year on 15 August, Catholics celebrate the Assumption of Mother Mary to Heaven.

 

If you are like me and pray the Rosary often, you may have many questions popping up in your mind while meditating on the last two decades of the Glorious Mysteries. Here are some questions that emerge quite often and I think the possible answers...

 

1. The Assumption of Mary - When

 

Catholic doctrine and popular believe state that Mother Mary was assumed into Heaven after her death. Which means she was assumed alive but after death. Now the question is, how long after her death was she assumed into Heaven. Obviously not immediately but after a few hours because her body wasn't even wrapped up when her body was found to be missing.

 

 

 

2. The Assumption of Mary - How fast

 

As no one saw her assumption, there were no witnesses compared to the Apostles who witnessed Jesus' Ascension into Heaven. There are biblical commentaries that say that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, the Apostles had a glimpse of Heaven and that's why they continued starring into space and the angels had to get them to get to work on Earth. In order for them to see Heaven, Jesus' Ascension had to be quite slow.

 

Since Mary's Assumption had no witnesses, I believe she was assumed much faster as there no need to show Heaven to anyone. Of course I don't think it was at super sonic speed as that would have been undignified.

 

 

 

3. The Assumption of Mary - Was she conscious

 

In the image above and all images of Mother Mary's Assumption show he looking up towards Heaven and her eyes are open. We also see similar pictures of Jesus' Ascension. This means that she was resurrected before being assumed into Heaven vertically. I saw the animated version of the Beauty and the Beast from about 10 years ago and in one scene, we see the Beast is raised up in mid air when the spell is broken but he's in a supine position because he's unconscious.

 

Therefore, Mother Mary was very conscious and aware of what was happening while being assumed, hence she was looking up in anticipation of her re-union with Jesus.

 

4. The Assumption of Mary - The scene in Heaven

 

I always wonder what the scene was like in Heaven the moment Mary appeared there. Heaven must have erupted into loud jubilation with millions of high fives going around and shouts of joy and possibly some angels and saints ribbing Joseph as well. :) This scene reminds me of the scene in Episode 4 of Star Wars after Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo received their medals.

 

5. The Assumption of Mary - When was the Coronation

 

In some countries, the feast of the Coronation of Mary is celebrated on 22 August. It's also called the feast of the Qeenship of Mary. But in reality, do you think Heaven would have waited for a few days for the coronation?

 

No I bet, it took place instantlly upon Mary's arrival.

 

6. The Assumption of Mary - Who crowned her

 

For many years the image in mind was that Mary was crowned as Queen by the Father. But over the last few months, I've had this nagging feeling that it was the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who performed the task together. It makes more sense that all Three of Them were jointly involved because One was crowning His most beloved creature, the Other was crowning His mother and the final One was crowning His spouse.

 

One day while praying the rosary at Church before Sunday vigil Mass, such an image was flashed onto the screen and I took that as confirmation of my suspicions.

 

 

 

Do you have you own questions and answers about the Assumption of Mary - post them here.

 

Done