Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A few years ago, I was introduced to the concept of a word cloud. It is used as a visual aid to show which words / concepts are most popular or used most widely (based on entered data) and does so by showing the most repeated words in larger font. The idea is to see quickly the words, themes or concepts, that are most relevant within the research you are conducting. So if we were to use the names of individuals found in the Bible we would find the name JESUS as the largest and most dominant word within the word cloud. Jesus' name appears a total of 1281 times (depending on which translation you use) in the Bible, so you can imagine this would stand out as the most prominent word in the cloud.

You may be asking yourself at this point: what does a word cloud have to do with the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (celebrated on Saturday 15th August)? While I was considering what I may write, I considered the concept of a word cloud and how it functions as a great summative tool for market research, questionnaire answers or just a tool for self review. I knew Jesus' name would be the largest word in my exemplar word cloud, but I wondered where Mary would appear. Where would the mother of God appear in size amongst the many names in the cloud? Does how frequently an individual is mentioned in the bible lead to how important they are, or how we should consider their impact? Historically the reformed churches such as the Pentecostal Church do not give such a place in the life of their church as the Roman Catholics do - so does it matter that Mary was only mentioned 21 times in the New Testament? Why then do so many Catholics (I'm one of them, by the way) around the world venerate her with such devotion throughout her many feasts and solemnities in the year (12 in total with 7 optional memorials)?

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a difficult one for many Christians to grasp, mainly because the bible doesn't refer directly to the death or assumption (rising bodily and spiritually to heaven at the moment of her death) of the Blessed Virgin, so why did Pope Pius XII in 1950 declare the dogma of the assumption to the world? Catholic theologians have written a great deal about this particular Marian teaching - while the bible does not refer to it explicitly, it does so implicitly: several scriptural passages have been theologically interpreted to describe the ultimate fate in this and the after world of the Mother of Jesus. The Catholic Church teaches as dogma that the Virgin Mary "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory." (Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus).

Mary's impact and presence in the New Testament is not one based on how many times her name is mentioned. When it comes to the impact of an individual, a perfect soul, one chosen by God to to be a temple of the Word made flesh, we don't need word clouds to see just how important Mary is to the global Christian narrative. For me, personally, I speak to Mother Mary every day - so do more than a billion Christians worldwide. The assumption is not just dogma, an event hidden from immediate view in scripture, it is a living event that continues living each and every day.

We have many names for the mother of God: Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin, the Theotokos, the Queen of Heaven, Our Lady, spouse of Joseph and daughter of Anne and Joachim... we may use these and many more when we raise up our needs to her, but as the word cloud has shown - Mary appears inconsequential, but nothing can be further from the truth. When we raise ourselves in prayer, we walk alongside the one who is without sin, the one who said 'yes' to the Archangel Gabriel (a mere child who was frightened but had faith), the mother who cradled our Lord and the mother who watched as her son died the most awful of deaths upon the cross.

When we cry, she not only understands and knows our pain but cries with us. When our path is hard and overgrown with uncertainty and doubt, she is there offering reassurance. I have experienced her presence in my life on many occasions, and each time I feel like I have seen the face of God, touched the wounds of Christ and witnessed His resurrection in the most profound and personal of ways. For Mary is our guide in heaven, she listens and responds... she is my Blessed Lady. Perhaps there is more in a name than we realise. As Shakespeare wonderfully put it: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

What does the Blessed Lady mean to you?

How has she helped you in your earthly journey?

Join with me tonight and teach night for the next nine days in saying the Memorare prayer:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

May the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always.

Amen.