Assumption

Assumption of Mary History

The Assumption of Mary is a Christian feast day that commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken up, body and soul, into Heaven after her death. The Assumption of Mary has its roots in Early Christianity, but the belief was not formalized until the 5th century A.D. The Assumption was not officially recognized by the Catholic Church until 1950, when Pope Pius XII declared it a doctrine of faith.

In the United Kingdom, the Assumption of Mary has been celebrated for centuries, but it was not formally recognized as a public holiday until the reign of Queen Mary I in the 16th century. Mary was a devout Catholic and wanted to promote the feast day in her kingdom.Throughout British history, the Assumption of Mary has remained an important day for Catholics, who celebrate with Mass and processions. In recent years, the feast day has become a time to promote unity among different Christian denominations, as the doctrine of the Assumption is a point of disagreement between Catholic and Protestant Christians.

Today, the Assumption of Mary remains an important feast day for Catholics in the United Kingdom and around the world, and it serves as a reminder of the Christian belief in eternal life after death. The Assumption of Mary is observed on August 15th annually.

Assumption (of Mary) facts

• The belief in the Assumption underscores the idea of Mary's special place in the plan of salvation. Because she was the mother of Jesus, it is believed that she was free from original sin and did not undergo bodily decay after death.
• In the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption is considered a dogma, an official and binding doctrine. This dogma was declared by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
• The Burial of the Virgin, a 12th century apocryphal account by St. John the Theologian, is one of the first known written accounts narrating the death of Mary and her resurrection and assumption, though it's not recognized as canonical by the Church.
• The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, England, was one of the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval Europe. The shrine was founded in 1061 following a vision of the Virgin Mary and housed a wooden statue of Mary assumed into Heaven. The shrine became a center for devotion to the Assumption and attracted pilgrims from all over Europe.
• During the English Reformation in the 16th century, King Henry VIII disbanded the monasteries and confiscated their lands, leading to the destruction of many shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary, including the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Assumption

Top things to do in the UK for Assumption of Mary

• Attend an Orthodox Church during the Feast of the Assumption to see the blessing of flowers.
• Historically, both flowers and herbs are brought to church as offerings or to be blessed during the Feast of the Assumption. Start an herb garden or plant some bulbs to bloom in spring in honor of Mary.
• Watch England's Cathedrals (2017). This UK documentary series goes in-depth into the history and architectural features of England's magnificent cathedrals, which are often adorned with artworks and sculptures depicting Mary and biblical scenes.
• Visit notable Marian shrines in the UK, such as the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk or the Marian Shrine of Ladyewell in Lancashire.