It is an ancient tradition in the Church to commemorate saints on the anniversary of their death because that was the day on which they were born into eternal life. We celebrate the same reality in our funeral liturgies and on the anniversaries of the death of our own loved ones. In Mary's case, her birthday in eternal life has been celebrated on August 15 for approximately 1500 years.

Throughout most of this time, the Christian faithful believed that both Mary's body and soul were taken up into glory. This is the same glory that we believe all Christians await on the last day. Her perfect cooperation with God in their lifetime and her honored place as mother of the Messiah made her the first to enjoy the fullness of the Resurrection. In answer to a century of calls to proclaim this belief as a doctrine of the Church, Pope Pius XII declared Mary's Assumption as doctrine in 1950.

The doctrine of Our lady’s Assumption is so important in the life of the Church that its celebration on August 15 is considered a Holyday of Obligation where all Catholics attend Mass and abstain from servile work. Masses for the Holyday are as follows: August 14th—7:00 p.m. Mass with conclusion of the Parish Mission. August 15th—6:30 and 9:00 a.m., noon and 7:00 p.m.

Let us pray that our Heavenly Mother extends her loving care upon us as a parish; that we may grow closer to her Son, Jesus each day and receive blessings on our families. God Bless!