UNITED IN PRAYER
A PRAYER RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES, INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Pause
Take a moment to still yourself. Take a deep breath and ask God for a renewed sense of presence with you in this moment.
Opening Prayer
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 Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This prayer is the Collect prayed at Mass on the Feast of the Assumption
Sing or listen
FIRST READING
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 45:10, 11, 12, 16
R: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.
SECOND READING
Gospel
Luke 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.
During his address on the Feast of the Assumption last year, Pope Francis spoke about the Blessed Virgin Mary’s powerful example. Mary, our Mother, lovingly takes us by the hand, inviting us to rejoice in trust and faith.
In challenging times, Mary’s message of hope becomes vital. We can find Heaven’s reach by resisting sin and serving others generously.
Reflecting on the significance of the ‘Hail Mary’ prayer, Pope Francis drew attention to its beautiful tradition and how it greets and blesses Mary for bringing Jesus to us. In our prayers, we unite with the faithful across generations, drawing strength from the same expression of faith and joy that Elizabeth shared with Mary. In reciting the ‘Hail Mary,’ we also acknowledge Mary’s vital role in our lives as she continually intercedes for us.
Mary’s canticle, the Magnificat, carries a profound message for us today. The Pope reminds us that it announces a radical change and a transformation of values. As we look around and witness the struggles and injustices in the world, we may wonder if Mary’s words are an exaggeration. However, her prophetic voice proclaims that God’s ways are not our ways. The powerful of the world may seem triumphant, but Mary assures us that it is service, humility, and love that ultimately prevail.
This Feast of the Assumption, let Mary’s example inspire us to embrace humility, service, and love, shaping a compassionate world. She guides us towards a deeper understanding of God’s love.
Adapted from Pope Francis’ address on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15 August 2022
The Feast of the Assumption calls us to appreciate more deeply the dignity of the human body and its intimate link to our spirituality.
Have a listen to Fr Joe Paprocki’s reflection on the dignity of the body.
Video from Loyola Press
A Samoan Prayer to Mary
Si o’u alofa oe,
Maria Tina paia,
O le Alo tasi lava o le Atua mamalu,
o le Atua mamalu.
Peace be with you,
Mary the holy Mother
Of the only son of the holy God,
of the holy God.