In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
OPENING PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION
O Most Holy Mary, as we celebrate your Assumption in body and soul to the glory of Heaven, we implore you to help us to live with faith and hope in this world, seeking always and in all things the Kingdom of God.
O Lady assumed to Heaven, help us to open ourselves to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit that creates and renews, capable of transforming our hearts.
O Lady of the Assumption, enlighten our minds about the destiny that awaits us – the eternal joy in the heavenly homeland – of the dignity of each one of us and the nobility of our bodies and of our souls, who may one day be with you in the glory of Heaven.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, raised to Heaven, show yourself to us all as Mother of faith, hope and love!
A SHORT MEDITATION ON THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY BY FR. CHINAKA, OSJ (PART II)
To understand the profound meaning of the Assumption, it is pertinent to note that the word “assumption” comes from the Latin root “assumptio,” meaning “to be taken up”. St. Paul teaches that we will be “assumed” (‘taken up’ or ‘caught up’) into the clouds to meet Jesus on the last day (see 1Thes. 4:17). Therefore, the doctrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary should not be likened to the popular usage of the term “assume” or “assuming” etc. On one hand, “to assume” means to act as if something were true without any proof. If we limit our understanding to this, then, we shall miss out on the point. When we talk of the assumption of Mary, we refer to the belief that she was “taken up” by God to dwell with her beloved Son, Jesus Christ in heaven. This gives value to the afterlife of those who believe in God and in His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; put differently, a feast that reminds us that if we remain faithful to the end, we shall be “taken up” into the clouds to meet the Lord on the last day (cf. 1Thes. 4:17). This becomes more meaningful when we consider the Pauline text: “In fact, however, Christ has been raised from the dead, as the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep. As it was by one man that death came, so through one man has come the resurrection of the dead. Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be brought to life; but all of them in their proper order” (1 Corinthians 15:20–23). Here, we see the foundation of the grace of the Assumption of our Lady precisely in the victory of Christ over death and over the principalities and powers. The ancient serpent was placed under the feet of the Risen One and no longer has power over the redeemed. This is our faith, the centre of our hope: Christ is the cause and model of our resurrection. Those who are born in Him through baptism, those who believe in Him and live in Him, will be resurrected with Him on the last day, and like Him be “taken up” (assumed) into the glory of eternal life. (To be continued…)
Silent Prayer and Reflection…
DAY 2 PRAYER
O glorious Virgin and Mother, the moment you stepped on the threshold of heaven, glory met you because the ineffable God has filled you so wonderfully with the abundance of all the heavenly charisms and gifts drawn from the treasury of the Divinity, far above all the angels and saints, so that you would always manifest the fullness of innocence and holiness. One cannot conceive of anything greater after God, nor can thou be imagined outside of God. Your bodily assumption reveals to us that you ascended to the highest peak of heaven and a glittering crown rested on thy forehead. Proportionate to thy glory was thy crown, and only God Himself can estimate the immensity of that glory. Before your majesty, I present the following intentions for your maternal care (state your requests)
Recite 3 Hail Marys for the favour you seek to obtain.
O Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
LITANY OF OUR LADY OF ASSUMPTION (SHORT INVOCATIONS)
Great Mary (Pray for us)
Greatest of Marys
Greatest of Women
Mother of Eternal Glory
Mother of the Golden Light
Honour of the Sky
Temple of the Divinity
Fountain of the Gardens
Serene as the Moon
Bright as the Sun
Garden Enclosed
Temple of the Living God
Light of Nazareth
Beauty of the World
Queen of Life
Ladder of Heaven
Mother of God
CONCLUDING PRAYER
O sovereign queen of the Angels, we well know that as miserable sinners, we were not worthy to possess you in this vale of tears, and we know that your greatness does not make you forget our misery. In the midst of so much glory, your compassion, far from diminishing, increases more and more for us. From the height of that throne where you reign over all the angels and saints, turn your merciful gaze upon us; see how many storms and a thousand dangers encircle us in these turbulent times. Our queen and mother, obtain for us the increase in faith, confidence, and holy perseverance in friendship with God, so that we can, one day, go kiss your feet and unite our voices with those of the heavenly spirits,
to praise and sing your glories eternally in heaven – Ave Maria! Amen.
Concluding Anthem
Mary crowned with living Light,
temple of the Lord,
place of peace and holiness,
shelter of the Word.
Mystery of sinless life
in our fallen race,
free from shadow you refect
Plenitude of grace.
Mary Crowned with living Light,
Handmaid of the Lord
Chosen Mother of His Son
Saviour of us all,
Virgin, mother of our Lord,
lift us when we fall,
who were named upon the cross
Mother of us all.
Father, Son and Spirit Blest,
heaven sings your praise
Mary magnifes your name
through eternal days
Through the intercession of Our Lady assumed into heaven, may the Lord bless + us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
Great job praying Day 2! Click here for Day 3 Prayers
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Shalom!
© Written by Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Loreto, Vila Medeiros, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com
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PS: Have you prayed your Rosary today?
My queen and mother, obtain for me the increase in faith, confidence, and holy perseverance in friendship with God, so that I can, one day, go kiss your feet and unite my voice with those of the heavenly spirits,
to praise and sing your glories eternally in heaven. Amen
Our Lady assumed into heaven pray for us
O Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen
Bright as the Sun, pray for us
Amen
Mother of eternal glory pray for us