Assumption of Our Lady

"O Mother of God and of men, we beg you to purify our senses, so that we may begin to enjoy God here on earth and Him alone, in the beauty of creatures." (Pope Pius XII)

"Mary's Assumption shows us the route we must follow in our spiritual ascent: detachment from the earth, flight toward God, and union with God.

Our Lady was assumed body and soul into heaven because she was Immaculate; she was all-pure -- free not only from every shadow of sin, but even from the slightest attachment to the things of earth, so that she 'never had the form of any creature imprinted in her soul, nor was moved by such, but was invariably guided by the Holy Spirit.' (John of the Cross, Ascent III 2,10)

The first requirement for attaining God is the fruit of total detachment. The Blessed Virgin, who lived her earthly life in absolute detachment from every created thing, teaches us not to allow ourselves to be captivated by the fascination of creatures, but to live among them, occupying ourselves with them with much charity, but without ever letting our heart become attached to them, without ever seeking our satisfaction in them.

In her Assumption Mary speaks to us of flight toward heaven, toward God. It is not enough to purify our heart from sin and all attachment to creatures, we must at the same time direct it toward God, tending toward Him with all our strength...Our earthly life has value for eternal life insofar as it is a flight toward God, a continual seeking after Him, a continual adherence to His grace. When this flight fails, the supernatural value of our existence lessens. --from Divine Intimacy, p. 1150