The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 15th (Not a holy day of obligation this year)

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary August 15th (Not a holy day of obligation this year) The Solemnity of the Assumption is one of three feasts of Mary that are Holy Days of Obligation. (Note: this year, the holy day obligation is suspended in the United States because the Solemnity falls on a Monday.) January 1 is the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, and December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Today’s feast celebrates that Mary, who was without sin, was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven. Because of Mary’s role in God’s plan of salvation, she does not suffer from the effects of sin, which are death and decay. Mary is the first to receive the fullness of redemption that her son has won for all of humanity. Today’s Gospel highlights Mary’s faith. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative to God’s plan.