by: Deacon Paul Rooney (deaconpaul@cox.net)
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Cycle "C" - August 15, 2004)

Q. 280: Was Mary really assumed body and soul into heaven?

A. 280: On one of my educational trips to Israel when I was a tour host, we made the usual stop at one of the sites purported to be the location where Mary's body was assumed into heaven. It is now called the "Church of the Dormition." The official Guide was a Palestinian Catholic, and he said (and I quote): "This is where Mary went to sleep, and was assumed into heaven without dying. That is what the Church teaches, right?" (end quote). Immediately I said, "No, it is not what the Church teaches." The Guide changed the subject right away, and I didn't pursue it or he would have been embarrassed - something you don't want to do to people in that culture.

Which leaves the question: did Mary really die? Most of the Early Church Fathers believe that Mary did die. The Eastern Church has long held the view that Mary died. The exact location is not known. There is a tradition that she died in Ephesus at John's house. There is another tradition that she died in Jerusalem. But there is no gravesite or tomb to support anyone's claim. (By the way, Pope John Paul II sides with those who believe that Mary died.)

She shared our human condition, as did her Son Jesus. She shared in the agony of his Cross. And I believe she shared in his death, by dying and thereby experiencing all that we humans experience (except sin, through a special grace).

There are theologians who believe that Mary did not die, but merely went to sleep (which is what "Dormition" means, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1986:Nelson Publishers, p.172). Then she simply disappeared, which is the mystery of the Assumption for them. It is an unresolved issue despite the authority of the Early Church Fathers and the medieval theologians who believe she died. The only point that matters is that whether we die or not, we all need a transformed body for our life in heaven. St. Paul teaches us that (in 1 Cor 15:51-53). Mary needed that transformed body also.

Know Your Catechism! Quoting Ecumenical Council Vatican II, in its document Lumen Gentium (#59), our Catechism very simply states the official dogmatic teaching of the Church: "the Immaculate Virgin, preserved from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul in to heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things…" (CCC #966).

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha