Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. Pope Pius XII defined it on 1 November 1950 in his apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus as follows:

We pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

— Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, 1950
"Assunta" redirects here. For the hospital in Malaysia, see Assunta Hospital.
"Santa Maria Assunta" redirects here. For churches with this dedication, see Santa Maria Assunta (churches).
"Saint Mary of the Assumption" redirects here. For cathedrals with this dedication, see Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption.
This article is about the theological concept. For works of art with this title, see Assumption of the Virgin Mary in art.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A famous treatment in Western art, Titian's Assumption, 1516–1518
Also called
  • The Assumption
  • Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Observed by
TypeChristian
SignificanceThe bodily taking up of Mary, the mother of Jesus into Heaven
ObservancesAttending Mass or service
Date
FrequencyAnnual

The declaration was built upon the 1854 dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, which declared that Mary was conceived free from original sin, and both have their foundation in the concept of Mary as the Mother of God. It leaves open the question of whether Mary died or whether she was raised to eternal life without bodily death.

The equivalent belief (which is not held as dogma) in the Eastern Orthodox Church is the Dormition of the Mother of God or the "Falling Asleep of the Mother of God".

The word 'assumption' derives from the Latin word assūmptiō, meaning 'taking up'.

The Transfiguration of Jesus and Mary's Assumption highlight the Catholic belief in the resurrection of the flesh before the Last Judgment.

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