Today is Assumption Day, an important celebration for Christians in Canada and around the world. Also known as the feast day of the Assumption of Mary, it is believed that on this day the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, ascended into Heaven.
The Catholic Church teaches ‘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.’ On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII defined as dogma the doctrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.
Assumption Day is considered to be a Catholic Holy Day of Obligation. Several other denominations of Christian churches also commemorate this day. In Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, this belief is also known as the Dormition of the Theotokos, which means the sleeping of the ‘God-bearer.’ The Anglican Church of Canada refers to it as the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lutherans refer to this day as ‘the feast of Mary, mother of our Lord.’
This day provides Canadians with an excellent opportunity to reflect on the tremendous contributions of Canada’s diverse Christian community to our nation’s heritage.
As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I extend my best wishes for a blessed feast day to everyone celebrating today.
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