Assumption, an ancient tradition
The Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15, is an important liturgical feast that commemorates the ascension into Heaven of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
The origins of this celebration date back to the consecration of the first church dedicated to Mary in Jerusalem in the 4th century, although the exact date is unknown.
However, this ancient tradition is not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament and is based primarily on early Christian tradition.
Officially instituted as a liturgical feast in the 7th century, the Assumption of Mary acquired greater theological significance when it was proclaimed a dogma on November 1, 1950. This declaration affirmed the Catholic belief that Mary was taken up into Heaven, body and soul, after her earthly life.
Death of Mary
According to tradition, Mary met an angel on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem who offered her a branch of the Tree of Life, a symbol of immortality, and announced her imminent death. Upon returning home, Mary was surrounded by her loved ones and the Apostles, who had come from all corners of the Christian world to support her. As Mary’s death drew near, Jesus appeared to her, accompanied by angels, to receive her soul. Tradition recounts that Jesus entrusted Mary’s soul to the archangel Michael.
The Apostles buried Mary’s body at the foot of the Mount of Olives. According to legend, her body remained incorruptible after her death. A few days later, Jesus returned to take her body and soul and ascended with her to Heaven. Hippolytus of Thebes suggests that Mary lived eleven years after the death of Jesus, thus placing her death in 41 AD. Among Eastern Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, is the presumed burial place of the Virgin Mary and is a place of pilgrimage and reflection for the faithful.
How do French people celebrate the Assumption?
The Virgin Mary is the patron saint of France. Many churches are dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and every year on August 15th, they commemorate this event with a Mass, followed by processions and various festivities. The Assumption is an important feast day for French Catholics and a public holiday. As a result, most businesses, including post offices, government offices, banks, and shops, are generally closed. Restaurants and cafes may be closed, except in tourist areas and major cities, and some guided tours may be cancelled on this day. While airports and train stations generally remain open, it is advisable to check their websites beforehand, as public transport schedules may be disrupted.
List of all the French public holidays and their meanings
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