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FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ~ ( August 15th )

Thou hast found grace with God. (Luke 1, 30.)

CONSIDER FIRSTLY that Mary dies. But how does she die? She dies entirely detached from all affection to created things, and consumed by that divine love in which she always lived, and which wholly inflamed her most holy heart.

APPLICATION:  O holy Mother, thou indeed hast left the earth, but do not forget us poor pilgrims who still dwell in this valley of tears, beset by so many enemies who desire to see us lost for all eternity. Oh, by the merit of thy most holy death, obtain for us detachment from the things of earth, the pardon of our sins, the love of God and holy perseverance. When the hour of our death comes, assist us from heaven with thy prayers. Obtain for us that we may come to adore thy divine Son along with thee in heaven.

AFFECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: On the right hand stood the queen in golden raiment t. . . Hearken, O daughter, and consider and incline thine ear. (Ps. xliv, 11-12.)

CONSIDER SECONDLY that, when Mary died, her most holy body was laid by the apostles in the sepulchre and guarded there by angels for three days, after which it was carried to paradise. But at the moment of her death her holy and beauteous soul entered into the blessed kingdom, accompanied by innumerable angels. When she entered heaven she humbly presented herself before God and adored Him, and with most intense love thanked Him for all the graces that had been lavished upon her. God embraced her and blessed her and constituted her Queen of the universe. He exalted her above all the angels and saints: The Mother of God is exalted above the choirs of angels in the celestial kingdom.

APPLICATION: Now if, as the Apostle says, the human mind cannot conceive the immense glory, which God has prepared in heaven for His servants who have loved Him on this earth, what measure must have been the glory that He gave to His Blessed Mother? On earth she has loved Him more than all the saints and angels, and had loved Him with all her strength. So much so, that none but Mary could say to God when she reached heaven: Lord, if, on earth, I have not loved Thee as much as Thou didst merit, at least I have loved Thee as much as I could.

AFFECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: Thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honourable. (Ps. cxxxviii, 17.)

CONSIDER THIRDLY that we should rejoice with Mary for the glory, with which God has enriched her. We should rejoice also for ourselves, because Mary was made our advocate at the same time that she was made Queen of the world. She is so loving an advocate, that she receives and defends all the guilty souls who commend themselves to her. Finally she is so powerful with the Judge that she gains all the causes that she defends.

APPLICATION: O our Queen and Advocate, our salvation is in Thy hands. If thou pray for us we shall be saved. Say to thy Son that thou desirest to have us with thee in heaven. He denies thee nothing that thou askest of Him. O life, O hope, O sweetness, our Mother Mary, pray for us to Jesus, thy divine Son, Amen. 

AFFECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS: Remove not thy help to a distance from me, look towards my defence. (Ps. xxi, 20.)

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