Assumption invites reflection on eternal destiny: Pope

Addressing pilgrims gathered in Castel Gandolfo for his midday Angelus on August 15, Pope Leo reflected on two principal ways in which artists have depicted the mystery of the Assumption over the centuries.

The first and oldest tradition portrays the Dormition, or “falling asleep”, of the Mother of God. In these images, Mary lies upon a catafalque, surrounded by the Apostles in prayer, while the risen Jesus holds her soul in his arms like a newborn child.

The image shows Christ coming to take his mother into the glory of heaven, the Pope explained, fulfilling for her the promise he made to his disciples: “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

The Holy Father said this ancient iconography highlights a central truth of the Christian faith: it is Christ, who died and rose again, who leads humanity towards the destiny for which it was created – eternal life.

Generations of believers have contemplated this mystery in icons of the Dormition, Pope Leo said, pointing in particular to the great apse mosaic in Rome’s Basilica of St Mary Major.

A second artistic tradition, which developed later in the West, depicts Mary standing in heaven, surrounded by light, angels and saints.

Pope Leo stressed that the Assumption also points towards the destiny awaiting all the faithful.

“The fullness of life, which we joyfully admire today in Mary, awaits us as well at the end of time”, he said.

Quoting St Paul, the Pope recalled that the risen Christ will transform humanity’s bodies to be like his glorious body, clothing what is perishable with incorruptibility and what is mortal with immortality.

Then, the Pope said, with human flesh transformed by the Redeemer’s love, the faithful will live forever “in an endless celebration”.

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Pope at Angelus: Mary’s Assumption reveals our eternal destiny (Vatican News)