Having Faith in an Assumption

         We are counseled not to make assumptions about people. How is it then that one of the solemnities of the church goes by that very name, and is in itself an assumption?

        In 1946 Pope Pius XII gathered petitions received in the preceding 100 years about the Assumption of Mary, and then surveyed the bishops:

Do you, in your outstanding wisdom and prudence, judge that the bodily assumption of 
[Mary] can be proposed and defined as a dogma of faith? Do you, with your clergy and 
people, desire it?

It took until 1950 for the Assumption to be declared and defined as dogma. I was surprised to read that the pope had consulted so widely. A common practice in community life, but in the church in the 40’s and 50’s? Perhaps I am revealing my ignorance of hierarchical procedures.

The roots of the feast can be traced to the faith of the eastern church in Jerusalem. The feast was called the Dormition, or the falling asleep of Mary. Although there were no witnesses, no scriptural record, the Assumption became a commonly accepted belief. Within the biblical tradition, holy and unique individuals (like Elijah and Enoch) were taken bodily to heaven. Making this assumption about Mary has precedent in the church’s tradition.

        Germanus of Constantinople, reflecting the faith of the eastern church of the 7th-8th centuries, addresses Mary directly:

        Since you are the Mother of God, it was appropriate that you accept a death that was like sleep, undergo a translation like an awakening. It is fitting that you should be restored to the companionship of your Son.

        And in the 21st century, Pope John Paul II quoted the gospel of John as a scriptural basis for understanding the dogma of the Assumption:

        
        If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself, that where I am, you may be there also.

Sr. Christa Kreinbrink, OSB

 

Feast of the Assumption and the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

          This week we celebrate the holy day of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother.

          A year ago I began volunteering once a month as a greeter at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, the mother church of our diocese. It is a magnificent Gothic church with incredible stained glass windows and mosaic stations of the cross. Just entering the church one is overwhelmed by the sheer light and beauty at every turn.

          My greatest joy is introducing the many visitors to its treasures. I am not a docent and do not give tours, but get to tell the guests about some of my favorite features.

           Friends of mine are surprised at the number of visitors who come from cities all over the United States. Some are here visiting friends and family and add the cathedral to their agenda. Others are in groups who include the cathedral as a “must see” on their itinerary. Most of us who’ve lived here for many years are so used to the cathedral that we underestimate its beauty and place in the history and culture of our area.

          Having been to Notre Dame in Paris I can attest to our basilica’s resemblance to that huge church. I have always told visitors that I found Notre Dame to be darker and less inviting than our own cathedral. Perhaps being half the size gives it an intimacy that Notre Dame doesn’t have or the light catches our windows better for some reason. Regardless, I am proud to show off this beautiful tribute to our Blessed Mother.

          If you have the chance to visit the cathedral again it is well worth the trip—the paintings by Duveneck, the wood work in the sanctuary, the baldachino, the organs, the stained glass windows, the Stations of the Cross; everything adds to the spiritual experience. Celebrate our Blessed Mother in the quiet splendor that is our basilica of the Assumption.

       Sr. Nancy Kordenbrock, OSB

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

       On a practical note, this is the big feast of Mary on which many young women, especially, entered religious life.  So, many sisters remember celebrating this feast with joy, and then got ready to go off to their teaching assignments or to College classes.  I happened to attend my cousin’s making her first profession in another order on this feast and then I entered one week after the others in my postulant class.

       Now some 60 years later the feast carries a new meaning, as I serve as greeter at our Cathedral twice a month, The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, in Covington, KY. I call it the Jewell of Greater Cincinnati, because of its magnificent architecture and beauty.  On a typical day there will be visitors from all over the world, some as individuals and some on Tour busses in groups, hoping for a docent to show them the high-lights.The 86 stained glass windows cannot be missed, along with the largest one that is claimed to be the largest of a religious theme in the world, (67x24 feet) depicting the Council of Ephesus in 432, affirming that Mary is “The Mother of God.” The Gothic arches, the mosaic Stations of the Cross, and the three pipe organs are other specialties. Among the art treasures are two murals by a local artist from Covington, Frank Duveneck (1910)  Now of international renown, his works are on permanent exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

      

       On this particular feast, I would point out the ascending Madonna at the tip of the baldacchino in the sanctuary. (See right)  She was the one who announces in the Magnificat, “All generations will call be blessed, for he who is mighty has done great things for me.” ( Lk 1:48-49)  And I would take the group to the front of the Cathedral to see the sculptures by a local craftsman, Clement Barnhorn, who did the relief of the Assumption of Mary into heaven accompanied by the Angels, above the main doors, as well as the central statue he called “The Alma Mater” with child.  They are outstanding works of art.

      

       Let us all give praise and thanks to God for the Gift of Mary and for her being gifted with eternal life with God a prefiguring of our future glory, in the words of the Preface of today’s Mass:

“For today the Virgin Mother of God was assumed into heaven as the beginning and image of your Church’s coming to perfection and a sign of sure hope and comfort to your pilgrim peoples; rightly you would not allow her to see the corruption of the tomb since from her own body she marvelously brought forth your incarnate Son, the Author of all life.  And so, in company with the choirs of Angels, we praise you, and with joy we proclaim:  Holy, Holy, Holy..”

       Sr. Mary Tewes, OSB

Editor's Note: For a great picture of the baldacchino where you can see a close up of the ascending Madonna go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/60124357@N06/8267200076/in/photolist-dArMB4-9AC8cL-dAz15z-dAxyym-dArNZH-dAzuHK-dAEJkq-dAyWbP-aAAaor-dAxgBy-dAF8fA-7itpnk-9Js1jz-doZgxS-dAzh6Z-aACTSd-dAzz6H-dAxgY1-8cmr4X-dAxdeq-8cpLVN-dAzBcr-75VtGf-7ixjk1-dAEtqU-dAEPny-7hwp9v-9AzdB8-7hkrGs-aAA2JK-dAF4W1-aAAaP6-dAF5jS-7ikpHL-dAyWoD-dAziic-dAzo8r-dAzBFe-9yZ4Cm-dAzyB2-9AC7Mb-dAEYsy-5P1wnm-7hgviv-dAvtp2-eMHPLs-dArEgM-dAzxYn-dAxdAG-dAEVDE/