Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 15 August 2023

A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
Revelation 12:1(NRSV)

This feast day celebrates the spiritual and physical departure of the mother of Jesus Christ
from the earth, when both her soul and her body were taken into the presence of God.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been an unbroken consistent belief through the centuries. In 1950 Pope Pius XII (Pope 1939 – 1958) stated the belief: the Blessed Virgin Mary, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” (Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus).

In his vision John sees a great woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars. There is much complex symbolism but the woman may be recognised as a symbol of the People of God, both Israel and the Church but, more importantly, the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Revelation 12. 1 – 6)

In St George’s one of the windows in the Lady Chapel depicts Mary in heaven.

St George’s Church Lady Chapel window depicting the Assumption of Our Lady with St John writing Revelation below.

Almighty God,
who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and chose her to be the mother of your only Son:
grant that we who are redeemed by his blood
may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen