In the Roman Catholic Church, August 15 is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Is the Assumption a belief of the Ecumenical Catholic Church+USA?
There is nothing directly stated in Sacred Scriptures about this belief. There is, however, a long tradition in both the Eastern and Western manifestations of the Catholic Faith that support this belief. That Mary was taken to Heaven at the end of her earthly life is a belief based on Catholic Faith Tradition that has roots in the writings and teachings of the early Church Fathers. In the Eastern Church, this belief is celebrated as the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. (Dormition means “sleep”; Theotokos mean “God bearer”.) In this tradition, Mary’s earthly passing is referred to as sleep rather than death. The theology is that the sinless and immaculate Mother of God would not be subjected to death which is the consequence of Adam and Eve’s sinfulness. So, Mary went to sleep and was taken up to Heaven. There are several pious stories in early Church writings which detail the story of Mary’s passing. The Byzantine Emperor Mauritius (582-602 AD) established the Feast o
Related Questions
- How does the Catholic Church claim Mary was assumed into heaven, that she was Immaculately Conceived and that she was a perpetual virgin?
- What are the orthodox catholic teachings regarding the Immaculate Conception and the Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary?
- Do I have to be a practicing Catholic to join the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Loretto Sisters?
