We have several significant dates in August: 6th – Transfiguration of Jesus; 6th & 9th – Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki 1945; 8th – Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (1st Australian saint & patron); 15th – Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Holy Day of Obligation and Patronal Feast in Aotearoa New Zealand); 25th– Social Justice Sunday.
We know from Venerable Mary Potter’s writing that she had rich insights into the spiritual and theological dimensions of the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, encouraging us to contemplate its meaning and implications for our own lives, her reflections on this feast day imbued with a profound sense of reverence. She emphasised that the Assumption is not just about Mary’s physical departure from this world but of her unique role in salvation history, the promise of eternal life, the dignity of the human person, and the call to faithful discipleship, with Mary’s elevation to a status of unparalleled closeness to God. “In the Assumption, we see the completion of Mary’s journey of faith, hope, and love. Her entire being is taken up into the divine life, a pre-figurement to the destiny awaiting all who are faithful to God’s call.” (Mary Potter – Devotion for the Dying 1991).
In a world often marred by suffering and injustice, the Assumption serves as a powerful reminder of the sacredness of the human person, the sanctity of life. By looking to Mary, we are encouraged to emulate her virtues of humility, faith, and unwavering trust in God, and responding to an invitation from venerable Mary Potter as we live out our 2024 Motto, to deepen our own commitment to living a life of hope for the future.
“Live depending on God…therefore in HOPE” – Conference H
Mary Potter’s writings held themes of peace and reconciliation, believing that Mary’s Assumption calls humanity to a higher path of love and peace, encouraging all to strive for a world where love triumphs over hatred, with a call for us to strive to bring harmony and reconciliation to our world.
The Assumption of Our Lady (Holy Day of Obligation and Patronal Feast in Aotearoa New Zealand)
New Zealand was dedicated to Mary as “Our Lady Assumed into Heaven’, by Bishop Pompallier when he celebrated his first Mass in New Zealand in 1838. On 15 August 2021, NZ Catholics renewed their country’s dedication to Our Lady, dedicating St Mary of the Angels Church in Wellington as a National Shrine to Mary.
The following is a reflection by Fr James Lyons, of the Archdiocese of Wellington, New Zealand:
The Assumption – Treading the Footsteps of Mary
“Hail Mary full of grace. The Lord is with you…” “These words announced the beginning of a life-change event for a young Hebrew girl that would impact on the rest of human history, and indeed the history of the whole world. Mary found herself in the company of God, and in that companionship was placed above every other creature in heaven and on earth. Our Catholic tradition finds it easy to honour Mary, the mother of Jesus and to see her as a great intercessor for all people, especially those struggling with suffering, doubt, fear, or any weakness.
But this “ease” of devotion also places a huge responsibility on us, for Mary is not a woman to be taken lightly. To look up to her, to honour her, is to be immediately challenged to imitate her. Mary, as the one who opened the door for God to enter our world in our humanity, shows us what can happen when a person gives themselves entirely to the realm of the Spirit.
“The Almighty has done great things for me..”. Mary recognised that her life, her very being, became an Ark, a Sacred Tent, providing a home for God as she willingly and lovingly gave herself in response to God’s word; and the greatness of God became wonderfully visible in her life.
Pope Francis brought Mary into his 2015 Encyclical on the care of our common home (Laudato Si), as “the mother who cared for Jesus, she now cares with maternal affection and pain for this wounded world.” And again, “In her glorified body, together with the Risen Christ, part of creation has reached the fullness of its beauty.. Hence, we can ask her to enable us to look on this world with eyes of wisdom.”
New Zealand Marist Brother and scripture scholar, Kieran Fenn, writing about Mary, the mother of Jesus, suggests that the secret of Mary’s mysterious power may be that, by having no history of her own, she entices each generation to draw her portrait. So, from the background of our tradition and the appreciation that Pope Francis offers, let us begin to paint.
Mary, woman of strength and wisdom carried a heart pierced with the lance of sorrow and disappointment, of misunderstanding and rejection. So, anyone opening their heart to love must also expect an uncertain journey. Her arms held Jesus at the moment of his birth and when his body was taken down from the cross. His life and his death were hers. Then, as Jesus was abandoned by his closest friends, Mary too was let down by their cowardice and selfishness. Yet, her prayer helped heal the brokenness of the disciples and poured hope into the small community as it became the new People of God.
Our portrait of Mary takes us into her footsteps. She is one of us and is there to guide us as we encounter the inevitable path of suffering, the vale of tears. Her example will help open a deep and lasting peace in the wellspring of faith and it will be tears of joy that rise up from grateful hearts. Her sorrows and her pain did not lessen the joy in her heart or tarnish the beauty of her humanity. Likewise, she shows how we can take whatever is troubling or hurtful to us and set it leaping for joy by using it as a means to strengthen life. Mary can never take the place of Jesus; she leads us to his nourishing presence in the Eucharist of his Body and Blood.
Her portrait for us today is completed in the offering of Jesus that enables us to serve one another and our world. Surely, we can go from here confident in the knowledge that the Lord has done great things for us in the gift of Mary – and that, through her, we can do great things towards bringing ourselves and all creation to the fullness of the beauty God sees in us.”
Fr James Lyons.
The Assumption invites us to look beyond our earthly struggles
and to strive for a world where love triumphs over hatred,
and life is revered in all its forms.
(The Assumption – artist unknown-from the site of Amor Meus magazine)