When examining the Assumption of Mary, most people focus on the theological and historical development and the significance it has for the Catholic faith. This is not the purpose of this short paper on the Assumption of our beloved Mother. On the contrary, this paper will focus on how the Assumption of Mary brings hope to mankind. Yet, before examining how the Assumption brings hope, the reader must first consider the history of the Assumption of Mary.
During the early days of the Church, many church figures did not discuss extensively what had happened to the Virgin Mary. For example, in the fourth century, Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, mentioned in his sermon how he preferred not to speak about the outcome of the Virgin Mary.1 There was also Modestus of Jerusalem, who stated that the Mother of God was raised from her tomb.2 Finally, there was Germanus of Constantinople, who mentioned how the Virgin had avoided death and was dwelling with God.3 Among all these early figures who had opinions on what had happened to Mary after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is St. John Damascene. He is the most important figure when examining the Assumption of Mary. In his sermons, he states that the body of Mary did not remain dead nor did it decay and dissolve as a normal body would.4 St. John Damascene believed that Mary was transferred to heaven, her heavenly home.5
It would not be until the 20th century that the belief of Mary being assumed into heaven became an important dogma of the Catholic Church. Why did this belief become a dogma in 1950 with the apostolic constitution of Pope Pius XII Munificentissimus Deus? The short answer is hope. By November 1, 1950, the world had been in conflict since the First World War. Since then, the dignity of the human body had been violated by the crimes committed by belligerents. At the same time, materialism had taken over society, and the moral life had been in decline. This was the perfect moment to make the Assumption of Mary a dogma because it showed humanity that there is hope. Christ raised Mary’s body and soul to heaven, and this glorious sign shows mankind that the day will come when body and soul will be united again.
This hopeful image is important, especially in the modern world where many have lost hope. Many have fallen into atheism, while others have fallen into paganism. An example of this would be those who have fallen to the cult of Santa Muerte. The followers of Santa Muerte are not, in actuality, Satanists, but are Catholics. In Saint of the Dispossessed, Enemy of Church and State, Lois Lorentzen writes that many of the followers of Santa Muerte in Mexico still practice their Catholic faith, but have placed all their hope in Santa Muerte. These people live on the fringes of society, and they see a living skeleton as the only solution to their issues. They have forgotten that man can find comfort and hope in the Virgin Mary.
Mary, who was sinless, was spared from death and was assumed into heaven. Of course, mankind cannot be assumed into heaven as Mary was, but it can look forward to what is to come. The body does not stay dead forever, nor is the soul excluded from heaven. Those who were just and faithful to the Lord will receive their reward. The body and soul will be united again, and all the sufferings that man has faced will disappear. There is hope, and this hope has been shown to mankind through the Assumption of Mary, for a woman born from the seed of David was spared from the penalty of Adam’s sin. We, too, have been spared from death through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and should not fall into despair.
