Assumption of Mary

AUGUST 15

On this day, we recall that 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. Note that Mary was assumed into Heaven -- taken up by the power of God, like Elias and Enoch -- while Christ ascended into Heaven under His own power.  
 
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven is a defined dogma of the Catholic Church. The Assumption is an important Marian feast. It signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life and is a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the end of life.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation. When it falls on a Saturday or a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated (set aside).