THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY     

Dear brothers and sisters on August 15 we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We believe that Mother Mary was taken into heaven body and soul at the end of her life. The Church has believed in Mary’s Assumption for centuries and it was proclaimed a dogma by Pope Pius XII. By dogma we mean that it is the truth revealed by God and we are required to accept it with the divine and Catholic faith. Mother Mary humbled before God and surrendered herself to God. The Assumption is a gift for her humility and obedience. Through the Assumption of Mary God teaches us that we receive God’s reward if we are humble before God and surrender ourselves to God. Here I would like to say that a way for us to surrender ourselves to God and be filled with the presence of God like Mary is to pray the Rosary daily. It is a most beautiful prayer, a prayer that can bring us closer to God and keep us closer to God. When we pray the Rosary we are not just saying prayers but our minds are meditating on the twenty great events in the life of Jesus. When we are in desperation and we don’t know how to pray, it is a good prayer and is a most beautiful way to keep in contact with God and our Mother Mary. When we say the rosary we can unite ourselves with Mary. God Bless! Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti