Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

​On August 15th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, body, and soul.  The solemnity of the Assumption is usually a Holy Day of Obligation, but because on the calendar it falls on Monday of this year it will not be a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have Mass that day at 7 am only in the church, and no other Masses that Monday.  Any Holy Day of Obligation that falls on a Monday, Friday, or Saturday is dispensed from being recognized as a Holy Day of Obligation except Christmas and New Year’s Day.  I wonder if you knew that just as we have an “Octave” period, meaning eight days of liturgical celebration, just as we do at Christmas and Easter, there is one for the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Eight days later following the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, on August 22nd, is the feast day of the Queenship of Mary, commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary being crowned as Queen of Heaven and earth.  Let us continue to ask for the prayerful help of Holy Mother Mary!