A Homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Friday, August 15, 2025
Prince of Peace Catholic Church – 8:00 and 6:00 Masses
Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB; Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56
(Links to resources about Catholic dogma and to Munificentissimus Deus, The Apostolic Constitution on the Assumption, can be found at the end of the written homily below.)
Audio Recording
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — when Mary was taken to heaven, body and soul, at the conclusion of her earthly life.
While the celebration of Mary’s assumption dates back to 4th century, it wasn’t until 1950 that Pope Pius XII infallibly proclaimed the Assumption as a dogma of the Church in an Apostolic Constitution, confirming what the faithful believed from the earliest ages. He proclaimed:
“…the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”
Notice the phrase “having completed the course of her earthly life” avoids declaring whether or not she died first. Ancient tradition holds that she did, but the Church has not made this an article of faith.
So what does it mean when we say that something is a DOGMA of the Church? A dogma is a truth of faith or morals that is revealed by God, handed down from the Apostles in Scripture or Sacred Tradition, and proposed by the Church for belief by the faithful. Dogma is both divine revelation and authoritative teaching, and must be accepted by every Catholic, even if not fully understood. There are over 250 dogmas of the Church, with the four best-known Marian dogmas being:
- Mary, Mother of God
- Mary’s Perpetual Virginity
- Mary’s Immaculate Conception
- Mary’s Assumption, which we celebrate today.
Some people wonder: What happens if I don’t believe in one of the Church’s dogmas? The Church teaches that dogmas are truths revealed by God and taught with full authority by the Magisterium. They are not optional.
If a person knowingly and stubbornly rejects even one dogma — such as the Assumption or the Immaculate Conception — they place themselves outside full communion with the Catholic Church. This is called heresy, and it’s serious, because to reject a dogma is to reject God’s own revealed truth.
That doesn’t mean that struggling to understand a dogma breaks communion. Many Catholics wrestle with Church teachings at some point. The key is to stay open — to seek clarity, study, pray, and trust the Church that Christ founded.
The Assumption is not just a “nice story” or pious opinion. It is a truth given by God, passed down from the Apostles, and solemnly proclaimed by the Church. To remain in full communion with Christ’s Church, we must ACCEPT it — even as we continue to deepen our understanding of it.
Our first reading today from the book of Revelation speaks of John’s vision of the Ark of the Covenant being present when Mary appeared as queen of heaven, about to give birth to a son. The Church Fathers taught that Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant.
You may recall that the Old Ark held the Word of God in the stone tablets of the law, manna from the desert, and Aaron’s priestly staff. Likewise, Mary bore the Word made flesh, Jesus, the Bread of Life, and the eternal High Priest in her womb. Therefore, she is understood to be the Ark of the New Covenant.
St. John Damascene wrote: “It was necessary that she who preserved her virginity inviolate in childbirth should also have her body kept free from corruption after death.” The same God who preserved the Ark of the Old Testament preserved His New Ark — Mary — from the grave.
The identification of Mary as the Ark has clear Scriptural roots. In Luke’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel tells Mary the Holy Spirit will “overshadow” her. This is the SAME WORD used for God’s presence overshadowing the Ark in the Old Testament.
At the Visitation, proclaimed in today’s Gospel reading, Elizabeth greets Mary with words echoing David’s when the Ark came to him: “How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Just as David danced before the Ark (2 Samuel 6:14), John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth’s womb before Mary. Both the Ark and Mary were greeted with joyful shouts, described each time using the SAME RARE GREEK WORD!
These parallels are no coincidence. If the Old Ark was treated with such reverence, how much more would the New Ark be brought into the glory of heaven.
Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant, now reigns in heavenly glory and intercedes for us. Just as she interceded for the couple at Cana, she intercedes for us now as Queen of Heaven. There is no more powerful intercessor than the Mother of God.
The best way to draw close to Mary is through the Holy Rosary. Do you pray it daily? With your spouse or family? It takes just 20 minutes a day! The Rosary opens us to countless graces — less selfishness, more discipline, new insights, courage, peace, and help in resisting temptation.
Just as the Old Ark went before Israel in battle, Mary — the New Ark, assumed into heaven — defends us in our battles if we ask her. The Rosary unites our hearts to hers, entrusting our needs to her Son.
Mary’s Assumption is a promise that where she is, we too are meant to be. Her life shows our destiny if we remain faithful: eternal life in the presence of God. Her intercession reminds us that heaven is close, active in our daily struggles.
So, pick up your Rosary. It’s your lifeline, your weapon, your daily connection to heaven. Carry it into your battles and watch the walls in your life come tumbling down. Pray the Rosary. Trust in Our Blessed Mother’s intercession. Follow her to Christ. It will change your life.
Holy Mary, Ark of the New Covenant… pray for us.
God bless you.
The Dogmas of the Church
- 255 Infallibly Declared Dogmas of the Christian Faith
- Ludwig Ott’s classic work, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma
- On Amazon
The Apostolic Constitution on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Munificentissimus Deus