The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 61:1-5 The Reception of Visiting Monks

Mass: Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Resp Ps 45; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56

The Queen stands in her place.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN,

MARY, QUEEN OF ANGELS,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH,

HEART OF MARY, THRONE OF GLORY,

PRAY FOR US.

The Immaculate Virgin Mary, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.

(Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus Most Bountiful God, November 1, 1950)

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

(Rev 12:1)

Foremost on this special Monday, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, congratulations and best wishes to all Cistercians on the patronal feast of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. All Cistercian monasteries are dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. God is praised. Our Lady of the Redwoods, Our Lady of Nazareth, Our Lady of Klaarland, pray for us.

With two texts to share then, the first a meditation from Amadeus of Lausanne, the second, a prayer from Pope Saint John XXIII.

Let us gaze

upon her glory

and, entering into the depth of so great a light,

with swelling heart and unspeakable joy

let us hasten

through the vivid brightness of the paths,

saying with Solomon,

Her paths are lovely

and all her ways are peaceful.

First of all,

she was deemed worthy

to be adorned

with the beauty of all the virtues.

Secondly,

she was united to the Holy Spirit

in a bond of wedlock.

Thirdly,

she was found the Mother of the Savior.

Fourthly,

a sword pierced her soul

and by the flesh taken of her flesh

the ruin of the lost world

is restored.

Fifthly,

she rejoices in her Son

arising and ascending 

above the heaven of heavens

to the right hand of the Father.

Sixthly,

she is caught up from this world

and as the Lord hastens to meet her

she is placed above the denizens of heaven.

Seventhly,

she will be completed

when the fulness of the Gentiles shall have entered

and all Israel shall be saved.

For beyond what is appropriately said or believed,

she rejoices

in the general salvation of the elect,

knowing that it was for them

that the Son of God

took flesh from her.

Then, therefore,

will she be fulfilled,

God providing a better thing,

lest without us

she should not be made perfect.

(Amadeus of Lausanne, Cistercian Abbot, c. 1110-1159, in Mary, Most Holy: Meditating with the Early Cistercians)

To Our Lady, the Gate of Heaven

Immaculate Virgin,

radiant image of purity and grace,

whose appearance scatters the shades of overhanging night

and restores to us the splendors of heaven,

look graciously down upon your children

and all who love you and gather around you.

Star of Dawn, prepare us to welcome the Sun of Justice,

whom you brought into the world.

Gate of Heaven, teach our hearts to desire the things of heaven.

Mirror of Justice, preserve in us

the love of divine grace so that,

living humbly and happily

in obedience to our Christian calling,

we may always enjoy the Lord's friendship

and your motherly consolations.

Amen.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Hail, Mary, full of grace.

Today's photo: Mary, Queen of Angels, by Sister Protasia Schindler, OSB. Used with kind permission of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR. So shall the king desire your beauty; for He is your Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022