Today’s celebration is known as the Natale or Dormittio of Mary and has been celebrated since the fifth century. Under this title of Our Lady of the Assumption, she is patroness of France, Paraguay, Jamaica, South Africa, and New Caledonia. To best describe today’s feast, we look to Venice!

Titian’s Assumption has been dubbed the the symbol of Venice. Rising 22 feet above the main altar, it is framed by the stone rood screen and can be seen from the entrance of the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice.

This 16th century masterpiece captures space and characters, revealing an eternal truth and at the same time an artistic flex to the Venetian people. It is perhaps the most popular portrayal of the Assumption in western art.

Mary is central to the work. Her arms are raised as a gesture of praise to God. She is lifted up by the countless cherubs. She is brought into the heavenly light of the love of God.

Below are the countless disciples. They don’t seem to be saying goodbye. They are caught up in the divine moment. The two men in red form a triangle that leads the viewers up to the Virgin who is also adorned in flowing regal red garment.

Where Mary has gone, we hope to follow. Faithful to Christ to the end, she aided the Holy Spirit in forming the Church. Her greatest title is Mother.

Jesus gave her to us from the cross that she might be our spiritual mother. And as all mothers do, she point the way to righteousness. She points us to Christ.

In poetic fashion, the liturgy is our teacher. Through poetry, we pray:

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.

She has paved a way for us to follow, it leads to Jesus. She is the image of our hope. Happy Assumption Day everyone!