A mystery of faith and hope

The Assumption is the dogma according to which the Virgin Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was raised body and soul into the glory of Heaven. This mystery is not recounted in the Bible, but it stems from a very ancient tradition, widely shared by Christians of both East and West.

It expresses the Church's faith in the unique holiness of Mary, Mother of God, full of grace, preserved from sin and intimately united to her Son to the end. She is the first creature to know the fullness of the resurrection, the icon of the glorified Church.

The dogma of the Assumption was proclaimed on 1 November 1950 by Pope Pius XII in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. In it he solemnly affirmed that:

"Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God, ever Virgin, after completing the course of her earthly life, was raised to heavenly glory in body and soul."

A living tradition from the earliest times

From the earliest centuries, Christians celebrated the end of Mary's life not as a tragic death, but as a "Dormition", a gentle and luminous passage to God. Ancient texts evoke the announcement of her departure, the presence of the apostles around her, and her elevation into glory.

Orientals speak of Mary's "Dormition", Westerners of her "Assumption". But all affirm that Mary could not know the corruption of the tomb, for she had borne within herself Life itself.

The first shrines dedicated to this mystery were in Jerusalem, in the Kidron Valley. Since the sixth century, the universal Church has celebrated this ascent to Heaven with joy and praise on 15 August.

A feast of light and consolation

The Assumption tells us that death is not the end, that Heaven is not a dream but a promise. As we contemplate Mary lifted up in glory, we discover our own vocation: to one day be reunited with God in eternal joy.

It is also a message of hope for wounded, suffering, forgotten bodies. Mary reminds us that our bodies are precious in God's eyes, that they are called to resurrection, to light, to glory.

Mary, already in glory, watches over us, prays for us, intercedes for humanity. She is our Mother, our Sister, our model. Where she is, we are called to be.

A popular and radiant feast

August 15 is one of the biggest Marian feasts of the year. In France, it is also a civil and national festival, instituted by Louis XIII in 1638 when he consecrated the kingdom to Mary.

Every year, thousands of faithful take part in processions, pilgrimages and solemn masses, particularly in Lourdes, Paris (Notre-Dame), Marseille (Notre-Dame de la Garde), or Chartres, Rocamadour, La Salette...

It is a day of joy, prayer and trust, when we entrust our families, our country, our suffering and our future to Mary.

Prayer for Assumption Day

Holy Mary,

you who have been raised to the glory of Heaven,

we greet you with love and trust.

You who said "yes" to God at every moment,

guide us on the path of obedience and faith.

You who bore in your womb the Saviour of the world,

grow in us the life of Jesus.

You who are already in the light,

remind us that our life does not end here below.

Console the afflicted, lift up the discouraged,

protect those who doubt and intercede for sinners.

O Mary, our Mother,

take us under your mantle and lead us to your Son.

Amen.