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The Daily Horizon

Why is the Feast of the Assumption on August 15?

Author

Christopher Martinez

Published Jan 05, 2026

On August 15, Catholics worldwide mark the Virgin Mary being brought into heaven with a feast, known as the Feast of the Assumption. John of Damascus wrote that although Mary died in front of the Apostles, when her tomb was opened, it was empty. Therefore, the Apostles concluded that her body was taken to heaven.

What is Catholic Assumption?

Assumption, in Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theology, the notion or (in Roman Catholicism) the doctrine that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken (assumed) into heaven, body and soul, following the end of her life on Earth.

How do we celebrate Mary?

Here are nine ideas.

  1. Flower Your Mary Statue.
  2. Pray a Novena to Our Lady.
  3. Spread Devotion to the Rosary.
  4. Learn About a New Marian Devotion.
  5. Share the Miraculous Medal.
  6. Memorize a Marian Prayer or Hymn.
  7. Get Invested in the Scapular.
  8. Pray the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What does the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrate?

Assumption Day commemorates the belief that when Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, died, her body was “assumed” into heaven to be reunited with her soul, instead of going through the natural process of physical decay upon death.

What’s the difference between Ascension and Assumption?

The most important difference between the Ascension and the Assumption is who the active party is. In the Ascension, Jesus ascends of His own power and will. Because He is divine, He acts of His own volition to ascend to the Father. On the other hand, Mary is passive.

Why do Protestants not believe in Mary?

The Roman Catholic Church reveres Mary, the mother of Jesus, as “Queen of Heaven.” However, there are few biblical references to support the Catholic Marian dogmas — which include the Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity and her Assumption into heaven. This is why they are rejected by Protestants.

How did Mary assume into heaven?

Eastern Christians believe that Mary died a natural death, that her soul was received by Christ upon death, that her body was resurrected on the third day after her death and that she was taken up into heaven bodily in anticipation of the general resurrection.

Why do Catholic believe in Mary?

Roman Catholics believe the doctrine of the Assumption, which teaches that at the end of her life, Mary, the mother of Christ, was taken body and soul (i.e. both physically and spiritually) into heaven to live with her son (Jesus Christ) for ever.

What are the greatest feast of Virgin Mary?

The most prominent Marian feast days in the General Roman Calendar are:

  • September 15: Our Lady of Sorrows.
  • October 7: Our Lady of the Rosary.
  • November 21: The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
  • December 8: The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Is May the month of Mary in the Catholic Church?

May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary refer to special Marian devotions held in the Catholic Church during the month of May honoring Mary, mother of Jesus as “the Queen of May”. A “May Crowning” is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that occurs in the month of May.

How old was Virgin Mary when she had Jesus?

While unproven, some apocryphal accounts state that at the time of her betrothal to Joseph, Mary was 12–14 years old. According to ancient Jewish custom, Mary could have been betrothed at about 12. Hyppolitus of Thebes says that Mary lived for 11 years after the death of her son Jesus, dying in 41 AD.

Does Jesus have a brother?

The Gospel of Mark (6:3) and the Gospel of Matthew (13:55–56) mention James, Joseph/Joses, Judas/Jude and Simon as brothers of Jesus, the son of Mary.

What is Jesus doing at the right hand of the Father?

Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, but the Spirit is given to humanity in order to continue to reveal the Triune God. It is through the interworking of the Trinity that Christians draw their faith and confidence.

What is the difference between Catholics and Christians?

Catholics also follow the teachings of Jesus Christ but do so through the church, whom they consider as the path to Jesus. They believe in the special authority of the Pope which other Christians may not believe in, whereas Christians are free to accept or reject individual teachings and interpretations of the bible.

Why did Protestants remove 7 books from the Bible?

The chief reason why Protestants rejected these biblical books was because they did not support their Protestant doctrines, e.g., 2 Maccabees supports prayer for the dead. The 7-deuterocanonical books are: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees.

Who was the foster father of Jesus?

Saint Joseph
Everything we know about Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, comes from the Bible, and mentions of him are underwhelming.

What’s the difference between Catholics and Christians?

How did Mary go to heaven?

On the Catholic calendar, Assumption Day observes the day Mary died and rose — body and soul— into heaven. The Catholic Church professes that when Mary’s time on earth came to an end, her body was placed in a tomb but her body didn’t decay on earth. Instead, her son, Jesus Christ, assumed her bodily into heaven.

What feast does the Catholic Church celebrate today?

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Why does Mary have feast days?

In the Catholic Church, Mary has several feast days. Being the human Mother of Jesus, her maternal relationship is real and permanent. Mary’s earthly birthday is important because Jesus would have honored his mother’s birthday. The Church celebrates Mary’s conception just as it celebrates Jesus’s.