Assumption

Here is a link that describes it:

The Feast of the Assumption

 

It seems to me that this is some sort of memorial day for Mary.

 

http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/teachframes.htm

http://catholicoutlook.com/mary.html


LaRae

 

Open up the Mary link and you will find the Assumption link.

 

Both links I posted contain info about the Assumption.


LaRae

 

http://www.catholic.com/library/Immaculate_Conception_and_Assum.asp

 

Joseph,

It is not found in Scripture. It is also not contradicted by Scripture. It is a truth revealed through Sacred Tradition and verified by the infallible Magesterium of the Church.

It is a Holy Day because it is right and just to honor Mary the Mother of God for her life of complete love, obedience and service to her Lord and ours.

 

Well, let me confuse you even worse. In the Eastern Church, we celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos.

THE DORMITION OF THE THEOTOKOS

Also:

FEAST OF THE DORMITION

As you read these two sites, it should become clear that while the emphasis is on different aspects of God's gracious work in Her life at the moment of Her death, the end is the same. She is the "first fruits" of humanity to enjoy the blessings of the Resurrection. She is the prototype for humanity, following in the path set by Her divine Son.

Oh, and as for the Feast...

do you know that on the Liturgical calendar of the Church every day is a feast day to some saint? Know why? Because we are FAMILY (what a concept!!) and we celebrate the family and the lives of our brothers and sisters. In celebrating them, we remember the grace of God to these men and women, who were just ordinary garden variety sinners like us, to whom God gave marvelous grace and enabled them to live holy lives, do wonderful deeds in His name, or die brave martyr's deaths for His name and sake.

Don't you celebrate your family of origin, both living and passed on?

 

If you are talking about birthdays, etc..., I would say yes. I don't, however, consider them holy days. I still am not sure how honoring a sinner saved by God's grace is considered "Holy"?

"Holy"

Definition -- not a "state", but "set apart unto the Lord".

Learned that as a Protestant, by the way.

It is simply a day set aside unto the Lord in which we celebrate the Lord's work and grace in that person's life. It is HE, after all, Who makes the sanctity of that sinner possible. To teach anything other than that is the heresy of Pelegianism. (self-effort).

I know that from your vantage point it doesn't seem this way, but the Catholic teaching really is that it is all of God and all of grace. That we co-operate with His grace does not make it "works". "Works" is trying to make your own covenant with God OUTSIDE OF AND IN DEFIANCE OF THE WORK OF CHRIST UPON THE CROSS FOR SINNERS.

Big difference.

Best way I can explain it again is the Hindu who goes yearly to the filthy Ganges River and "baptizes" himself for the remission of his sins.

WORKS.

Pure and simple. Goes in a dry sinner, comes out a wet sinner.

Why?

Because he is doing it OUTSIDE OF THE WORK OF CHRIST. No reference to the Cross at all in that baptism. It is man...acting on his own to try to please God when God has given His Son...His very best.

The Transfiguration of Christ (the Last Adam) and the Assumption/Dormition of the Blessed Virgin (the New Eve) should be such a great encouragement to us. In both of them, we see humanity elevated by the work of God, One from within, and one from without. Their glorification is our destiny as believers.

REJOICE!!

 

One question about 'saints':

Since when did people get to judge who is going to heaven?

 

It's celebrating the day they go to heaven to be with God. That makes it a holy day as opposed to a day like a birthday.

God Bless

 

God judges who goes to heaven. His Church can judge the fruits of a person and decide whether that person led a life that is an example for others to follow. Do you have any problem believing St. Paul is in heaven?

God Bless

 

In certain instances the Church (not "people") is given the grace to know with certainty (not "judge") who has gone (not "is going") to heaven.