Real Catholic Blog

Here’s a report from the Vatican on Pope Benedict’s Angelus message on the Feast of the Assumption (Catholic Encylopedia). I like to tell people who doubt the Assumption something I heard during a homily a few years ago. It seems that Chamber of Commerce types, local governments and tourism boosters during the era of the Church’s early years (yes, they had them then, too) always were eager to proclaim sights related to saints in their cities and villages. This attracted pilgrims who spent money there. It was good for the local economy.

They would, at the slightest bit of evidence, or at the best guess of evidence (or legend), market sites related to significant figures of the Church: this saint ate here, this saint preached here, that saint died over there. So, there is ample reason to suspect that if the Blessed Mother was not assumed body and soul into Heaven, there would be some landmark, somewhere, marking the spot of her death or burial. There is none. Hmmm.

Also, it is important to know that, as Catholics, we believe Mary, in her complete human body, was assumed into Heaven, because as the Mother of Christ, just as she brought Him into the earthly world with a soul uncorrupted by original sin, so, too, her body left this world uncorrupted.

Pope Benedict XVI calls believers to entrust themselves to Mary, who “assumed into heaven, has not abandoned her mission of intercession and salvation.”

We are called to prayer, fasting and sacrifice during Lent. As for prayer, what better way to pray than the Rosary. Even better, pray the Rosary at Eucharistic Adoration. There most likely is a parish or community in your area that has a constant, if not 24-hour, adoration. At the very least, many parishes offer adoration during Lent on Fridays after Stations of the Cross.

Since Lent is about drawing closer to Jesus and his redemption for our sins, praying the Rosary is a powerful way to reach out to our Lord — and the Blessed Mother. Doing so anywhere — by yourself, in a group, silent or out loud — is a very spiritual and tangible way of drawing near Jesus. Doing so at Eucharistic Adoration is especially spiritually fulfilling. There are five mysteries of the Rosary. I have found the Sorrowful Mysteries during Lent, as they are prayed on Fridays, particularly special as they instigate a self-inspection we all should put ourselves through.

Catholics Come Home explains more about the Rosary:

The Rosary is an ancient and powerful prayer that the faithful have been praying for over 800 years. In this video you will see the 20 Mysteries of the Rosary, which include events of the life of Christ and Mary that are meditated upon while reciting the prayers. Every believer in Jesus Christ should honor His mother by praying the Rosary, and in return she will bring you closer to her Son.

And if you object to the Rosary because you don’t think that the Hail Mary is a legitimate prayer, then watch my video “Every Christian should pray the Hail Mary,” and you will see the Biblical basis for the Hail Mary.

The Rosary is a powerful and special way to reach out to Jesus and seek His intercession as well as that of the Blessed Mother.

I went to what I thought would be the daily 5:30 p.m. Mass at Saint Benedict Church in Richmond. I was in for a little surprise. Saint Benedict was in the last night of a parish mission by Father Tony Stephens, C.P.M., of the Fathers of Mercy and the parish celebrated with a full-fledged Mass of the Feast of Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Avila) (see Catholic Encyclopedia).

So, instead, the Mass started at 6:00. I had a mild disappointment, to be honest. I could’ve worked longer and the longer and later starting Mass would push my evening back further — including writing here!

But how can one be disappointed at celebrating the Mass? Father Stephens’ homily made sure of that! He spoke about our great Catholic tradition of honoring the Blessed Mother and that devotion to her is Biblically based, despite protestant criticism. He thoughtfully, phrase by phrase, explained the Biblical and theological underpinnings of the Hail Mary. Then he elaborated on the Rosary and the mercy of Our Lady.

The Rosary is one of the oldest and most thorough prayers in the Church. The repetitive nature of the prayers along the decades is Mary leading us to her son, Jesus Christ. He encouraged us to pray the Rosary every day. Even if you have young children, pray it with them, and make it a part of their lives. Sure, very young ones may not be able to keep up with it, so pray one decade with them and put them to bed and continue on. A family that prays together, stays together, so make the Rosary a privilege of getting older: Let the older (and/or well-behaved) children stay up and go further along the decades with you. What a great idea to spur devotion!

A Rosary takes about 17-20 minutes to say. If necessary, pray what you can in the morning and finish upon return from work. When Jesus gave Mary to John at Calvary, He gave her to us all. That’s why, in turn, Mary gives us to Jesus. She is a great intercessor and wants to lead us to her son — exemplified in the path of the Rosary. Because Jesus did give Mary to all of us at the foot of the Cross, she, like any mom, knows her children and wants great things for us. Nothing is greater than His mercy and she is willing to help us, which is why she intercedes for us. 

One final thought: As a seminarian, Father Stephens was a bit confused when Pope John Paul II created the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. How can he do that? he thought to himself. This is a centuries old prayer, steeped in Church teaching and the Bible. Then he learned why John Paul is considered The Great: None of the first four mysteries were about Jesus’ ministry. The fifth is devoted to Jesus the Priest. How wonderful! How inspirational! Especially in this Year of the Priest, we should all rededicate ourselves to Jesus the Priest through the Rosary, especially the Mystery of Light.