God would certainly smile upon a loving, happy gathering of friends! Both statues are inclined toward each other three times, and then the Christ figure precedes the figure of Mary back to the parish church for a special benediction. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; We use cookies to personalize content and ads and to provide social }; var fbl_interval = window.setInterval(function(){ The dates the holiday is observed are marked window.fbl_started = false; According to Armedia, “the Holy Virgin is the embodiment of virtue, pious motherhood, and the protector of family sacredness.”. Eating grapes on the Feast of the Assumption is an easy and delicious way to celebrate! Saturday, August 15 Assumption of the Virgin by Titian. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec) *Editor’s note: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, dioceses around the country have lifted the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days. window.fbl_started ) News, analysis & spirituality by email, twice-weekly from CatholicCulture.org. it was believed that Jesus glorified the body of his mother and took it to For a time, the "Memory of Mary" was marked only in Palestine, but then it … It’s a tradition in Europe, but you don’t have to live there to acknowledge Mary as the first believer in the resurrection of Christ and “the first fruit” of a great future harvest. In an age of sensuality and materialism the Assumption points out the dignity and destiny of our human body, extols the dignity of womanhood, and turns our eyes to the true life beyond the grave. In Italy – and among Italian-American communities – processions are held. In Sao Paulo and other parts of southern Brazil, the feast is called Nosa Senhora dos Navegantes, or “Our Lady of the Navigators”. }); The Feast of Assumption, a day when Catholics around the world typically gather at Mass and celebrate Mary, Mother of God’s ascension into heaven after death, falls on August 15 of this year. About the Feast Note: The 2020 Feast of the Assumption street festival, public Masses and procession have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. August 15, 2020 (Readings on USCCB website). While a “feast” isn’t actually required, there is a longstanding tradition of blessing the summer harvest. version : 'v6.0' Assumption Day is also an important holiday in France where the Virgin Mary has been the patron saint since 1638. We diligently research and continuously update our holiday dates and information. In the West, also in the eighth century, Pope Sergius I encouraged celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption, and Pope Leo IV confirmed the Feast as official. Accompanied by singing angels, Christ brought Mary to paradise. The Feast of the Assumption is not only celebrated but is a public holiday in 43 different countries, from juggernauts like France and Greece to smaller nations like Paraguay and Andorra. The holiday has not only survived but also has thrived to this day, despite the church never having pointed to any concrete historical or explicit Biblical evidence (the Biblical citations being only metaphorical), nor fully admitting the story’s reliance on apocrypha. In some countries, women named Mary honored their patron with open-house parties for their friends and neighbors; towns held processions and festivals with flowers, music, and dancing. On Assumption Day, which they call Nagyboldogasszonynap, or “Feast of Our Great Lady,” they celebrate with pageants, parades and other religious rites. The 10am Mass on August 15th will be available to view online only here on the parish website.Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us. As one colleague recently put it, that’s the day Mom would make us go to Church during summer vacation on a weekday. catholic holiday announced on 1 November 1950 by Pope Pius XII. In some parts of France, there is a custom of proposing marriage on August 15, when the couple can ask Mary to specially bless their future together. In the past, processions and mass gatherings have typically been how the holiday was celebrated. } catch (e){} Towns may have small church processions with musicians whose costumes and demeanors depict the “Three Wise Men” who are mentioned in the Bible. You can read the Prelate’s sermon below: We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate. According to CatholicCulture.org, the holiday’s celebration can take many forms depending on the location: A Hungarian legend states that the country’s first king, Saint Stephen made Mary the heavenly queen and the country’s patroness, referred to as Magna Domina Hungarorum (“Great Lady of the Hungarians”). A commendable custom arose of abstaining from eating grapes until after the blessing, at which time trays laden with fruit were brought into the churches, blessed, and given to each member of the congregation to take home. This holy day marks the occasion of the Virgin Mary’s bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life. The Holy Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Old Calendar: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Dormition of Our Lady (Eastern Rite); St. Tarcisius, martyr, (Hist). This Blessing of Herbs is included in the prayers library. Then, in the fourth century, the bishop Epiphanius of Salamis wrote about the varying philosophies concerning the nature of the Virgin Mary’s passing on, identifying three factions of belief but remaining unable to establish a broad consensus. Remnants of the ancient celebration include night time bonfires and public illuminations, both probably symbolic of the Sun, in Italy. Read more. Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. In Sicily and rural areas outside Rome, a bowing procession is the day’s main event. By continuing using our site, you Make plans to go out for a nice dinner, cook something at home, volunteer at a soup kitchen, and have what’s on their menu while contemplating Mary’s life, passing, and legacy - the only limit is your imagination. Check also the date of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 2021 and in the following years. Pope greeting people in St. Peter's Square at the Angelus prayer on the feast of the Assumption, August 15, 2020. fbl_init() Her Assumption Befits the Mother of God | Valentine Long O.F.M. Assumption Day: The Archbishop of Kigali, Antoine Kambanda, has advised Christians and #Rwanda-ns, in general, to respect God, seek greater unity, and shun anything that can distance them from the Almighty who is the source of perfect peace.https://t.co/cPqtXU5tVr pic.twitter.com/fHpfR9s9vf, — Mukamana Alice (@mukamana25) August 15, 2020, In Armenia, the Feast of Assumption is one of the country’s five supreme festivals (Daghavár) of the year. (Canon For example, in the Transitus Mariae, written by Melito of Sardes, Mary’s death and ascension into heaven are described like this: In the presence of the apostles gathered around her bed, also in the presence of her divine Son and many angels, Mary died and her soul, rose to heaven, accompanied by Christ and the angels. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. In Armenia there is a custom of offering the “first fruits” of the harvest to God, in imitation of the Biblical Abel, who made the same worthy sacrifice. Here's what you need to know about the religious holiday, including its history, connections to scripture, traditions and how the day is being celebrated amidst the coronavirus pandemic. A small statue of her standing over your common herbs is customary. A statue of the Virgin Mary is carried through the town to a ceremonial arch of flowers, where a group of people holding a statue of Christ awaits her arrival. Compares To Other Countries. 1246) In Armenia there is a custom of offering the “first fruits” of the harvest to … In traditional celebrations, children would sing hymns in Polish and English at church, and later their parents enjoyed dancing to traditional Polish music. Along with the common religious customs, HolidaysCalendar.com reported that activities that may traditionally take place on this day include blessing the oceans, giving the sick flowers and blessed herbs, processional parades, brass bands and the blessing of fruits.