by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
Today we celebrate the Assumption of Mary. As Catholics we believe that Mary was assumed into heaven – body and soul. On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of our faith. He stated in his Apostolic Constitution: Munificentissimus Deus (The Most Bountiful God): “By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, 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.”
God had a plan for Our Lady. She, who was conceived without the stain of original sin, was to play a major role in the salvation of the entire human race – by bearing our Lord, Jesus Christ, who came to free us from original sin so that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
“Munificentissimus Deus teaches that Mary lived and completed her life as a shining example to the human race. The gift of the assumption is offered to all the faithful and signifies what to hope for at the end of Time. Her assumption signifies God’s intention to all those faithful to Him.” (Wikepedia).
To be faithful to God; to be true witnesses to His word, we must respect ALL life. We can learn much from the life of our Lady. Let us ask her to intercede with Jesus for us, that He will inspire us with courage and determination to promote, protect, and defend life in all circumstances and at all stages, from conception to natural death; and to promote environmental justice. Respecting ALL Life includes all God’s creation.
On behalf of CCSJ, I would like to congratulate Crystal Pedro who won CCSJ’s ‘Respect ALL Life’ Logo Competition. CCSJ would also like to thank Joanne Ragoonath for her entry entitled: Bella Vita.
