Aug. 15: ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY (Solemnity). MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS.

Aug. 15:
ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY (Solemnity).
MASS PRAYERS AND READINGS DURING THE DAY.

This feast was celebrated in the liturgy of the Eastern World from the sixth century and, in Rome, from the seventh century. On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII defined the dogma of the Assumption. He solemnly proclaimed that the belief whereby the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the close of her earthly career, was taken up body and soul, into the glory of heaven, really forms part of the deposit of faith, received from the apostles.

MASS DURING THE DAY

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON
Signum magnum appáruit in cælo: múlier amícta sole, et luna sub pédibus eius, et in cápite eius coróna stellárum duódecim. 
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 
Or: 
Gaudeámus omnes in Dómino, diem festum celebrántes sub honóre Maríæ Vírginis, de cuius Assumptióne gaudent Angeli, et colláudant Fílium Dei.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, as we celebrate the feast day in honor of the Virgin Mary, at whose Assumption the Angels rejoice and praise the Son of God. 

The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the highest) is said.

COLLECT
Almighty ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that, always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory. Through our Lord.

 Proper Readings

READING I
Rv 11:19a; 12:1–6a, 10ab

God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple. 
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God. 
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
Astitit regína a dextris tuis ornáta auro ex Ophir.

The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir. 
R.
Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, 
forget your people and your father’s house. 
R.
So shall the king desire your beauty; 
for he is your lord. 
R.
They are borne in with gladness and joy; 
they enter the palace of the king. 
R.

READING II
1 Cor 15:20–27 

Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.” 

ALLELUIA
Assúmpta est María in cælum: gaudet exércitus angelórum.
Mary is taken up to heaven, and the angels of God shout for joy.

GOSPEL
Lk 1:39–56 

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 
And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” 
Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

FOR TODAY’S SOLEMNITY REFLECTION,
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The Creed is said.

PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS
May this oblation, our tribute of homage, rise up to you, O Lord, and, through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, whom you assumed into heaven, may our hearts, aflame with the fire of love, constantly long for you. Through Christ our Lord. 

 Preface of the Assumption
Mary assumed into glory

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven, as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim people; rightly you would not allow her to see the corruption of the tomb since from her own body she marvelously brought forth your incarnate Son, the Author of all life. And so, in company with the choirs of Angels, we praise you, and with joy we proclaim:
[–» Holy, holy, holy…]

COMMUNION ANTIPHON
Beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes, quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est. 
All generations will call me blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me. 

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Having received the Sacrament of salvation, we ask you to grant, O Lord, that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom you assumed into heaven, we may be brought to the glory of the resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. 
[–» Concluding Rite]

The Solemn Blessing formula may be used.

VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: WHY DO WE CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY?

Today we celebrate the feast of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Catholics believe that when she died, Mary went to heaven body and soul, where the Lord exalted her as Queen of Heaven (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #966). We reflect today on Mary’s action in the gospel reading of carrying Jesus in her womb to Elizabeth.

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