August 15, 2007
Today is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Assumption of Mary or as Eastern rite Catholics call this feast, the Dormition of Mary which means the "falling asleep" of Mary, is a feast which has its origins in the early Church. However, as a dogma, it was only defined as being a "de fide" doctrine of the Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
This has always been my favorite Marian feast day. I first made my total consecration to Mary on this feast in 1988, according to St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe and St. Louis de Montfort.
On this date in 1993, I was blessed to have taken part in the World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, with Pope John Paul II.
I am very happy to be celebrating this great Solemnity of Our Lady once again, and to be able to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on this day.
Let us all renew our devotion to and consecration to our Blessed Mother, the Mother of our Saviour, Mary Immaculate, who we believe is in heaven, body and soul, with our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
