DIALOGUE OF SOME HEAVENLY THEOLOGIANS ON THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

CELEBRATING THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION IN HEAVEN:

(The Heavenly Choir of Angels gather around the Throne of God, with the Blessed Virgin Mary – Queen and Mother, standing at the right side of the Throne in  garments of Gold, and the heavenly host was heard singing to the Most High and to the Lamb, His co-equal Son, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit):

“Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (x2)
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (x4)

(At the end of the hymn, all take their seat and the Liturgy is introduced by Saint Isidore of Seville, who stands up in the midst of the great Assembly)

Saint Isidore of Seville: Greetings, heavenly brethren! Come, let us adore the King of kings: today, his Virgin Mother was taken up to heaven! As the patron saint of liturgical celebrations due to my significant contributions to the organization and systemization of liturgical practices and teachings, I welcome you all to this solemn celestial gathering. Today, we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – the greatest Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a celebration so dear to us all. Before we continue, I’ll like to state that Saint Ambrose (the grand heavenly Liturgist often associated with the development of the liturgical year and the establishment of certain liturgical practices) delegated me to introduce today’s solemnity. It is on his behalf and in union with the board of heavenly liturgists that I invite us all to engage in a delightful exchange of thoughts on this remarkable doctrine. Let the conversation begin in earnest!

(St. John Damascene, also known as Saint John of Damascus, who was an early Church father who defended the veneration of icons and contributed to the understanding of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption in his writings, is the first to speak up).

Saint John Damascene: Thank you, Your Grace, the renowned Archbishop of Seville, and the last of the Western Latin Fathers and encyclopaedist – brother Isidore, and many thanks to Ambrose who delegated you! The Assumption, a doctrine I defended fervently, illuminates the Blessed Virgin Mary’s unique role. Just as she carried Christ in her womb, her Assumption carries her to the heavenly embrace.

Saint Albert the Great: Well put, brother John, our erudite monastic Church Father and poet! You have beautifully commenced with your poetic demonstration. To this, I’ll say that the Assumption of the Great Mother of God, present here in our midst, exemplifies her role as the Ark of the New Covenant, carrying the divine presence. It’s as if her journey from earth to heaven parallels her journey of nurturing the Saviour.

Saint Thomas Aquinas: Master Albert! You make a stellar point! That you were one of the most universal thinkers and Doctors of the Church to appear during the Middle Ages is not an exaggeration, and I was only privileged to be your famous student. Here, I will emphasise that our Blessed Mother’s Assumption serves as a luminous guidepost, showing us the way to our ultimate home.

Saint Augustine: Awesome, angelic doctor! I knew you’d come up with something amazing. I’m glad that you later came to further develop the theological foundations for the Assumption through your writings on Our Lady’s unique role in salvation history. You have made an interesting connection brother Thomas! And if I must add, I’ll say that just as the “Dei Genitrix” (Mother of God) embraced her divine mission, her Assumption embraces our hope for eternal life. It’s a reminder of our heavenly destiny. And as Paul mentions believers being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, Mary’s Assumption becomes a foreshadowing of that glorious gathering.

Saint Francis de Sales: Hmmm, the great Bishop of Hippo, renowned Doctor of the Church and prolific writer! You brought forth a profound thought, your connection is delightful, and I agree with you. Just as Mary’s purity radiates, her Assumption radiates hope. It’s like she’s saying, “Come, dear children, join me in the heavenly joyride!”

Saint Alphonsus Liguori: This Bishop of Geneva, you bring humour to theology! The Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption indeed offers hope for our own heavenly joyrides. Her triumph over death encourages all her children to hold onto the same hope.

Saint John Eudes: Brother Alphonsus, your words resounds deeply in our hearts. I’ve known you not only as a Doctor of the Church but also as a prolific writer who composed works on various topics, including prayer, morality, and the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In addition to your point, I dare to say that the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption echoes her motherly care. She’s like a pilot driving us toward the celestial destination through Christ the GPS (road map) and ultimate way!

Saint Louis de Montfort: I see! First, I’m so proud of you as a fellow French Priest. You have continued to rep France here in Heaven! Was that why you founded both the Order of Our Lady of Charity and Congregation of Jesus and Mary, so that your members could easily be led by the Blessed Virgin Mary through the GPS to heaven? Hehehe! That’s beautiful though, I love the imagery! In that light I will say that Our Lady’s Assumption is like a cosmic road trip with Jesus. Her constant intercession ensures we never lose our way to heaven.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Hmmm, these French clergymen are at it again. You wanna show you love Our Lady so dearly with your immence knowledge and devotion to her? Lol! I’m yet to recover from the masterpiece you delivered on the Feast of the Annunciation. Brother Louis, your analogy is spot on! The Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption is like a ticket to the greatest journey. Just as she cooperated in salvation, she guides us on our journey to holiness.

Pope Saint John Paul II: You capture the essence beautifully, dear Franciscan Friar and martyr! Your altruistic love for mankind and deep love for Our Blessed Mother and her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ led you to lay down your life in place for another. Little wonder you’re forever honoured specially in this heavenly place and occupying your place underneath the sacred altar with your fellow martyrs. I was close to being a Martyr though (smiles).  Lemme boast in the Lord who granted me the grace to resonate Our Lady’s Assumption through my papacy, that a lot can be said from the papal documents published. However, I’ll just strike a simple point from my experience – Just as the Blessed Virgin Mary radiates hope, she accompanied me in my journey to bring hope to the world.

St. Luke: Your Holiness! You’re one of the saintly Pontiffs I admire a lot. Having written my Gospel which offer a scriptural basis for Mariology among the canonical gospels, centuries later, you sprang up as a legend who wrote extensively on the Blessed Virgin Mary more than any other Pope. Your devotion to Mary was evident in your teachings and writings, and you often referred to her as the “Mother of the Church” and the “Mother of All Peoples.” Now, speaking of the concept of journey (as you stated), it’s fascinating how I also subtly foreshadowed Mary’s Assumption in my Gospel. In her journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, we see her as the Ark of the New Covenant, carrying the divine promise, and reaching the house of Zachariah, the great parallelism is seen between her and the Ark of the Old Covenant – John the baptist dancing for joy at her presence like King David of old before the Ark, Elizabeth crying out for joy in her unworthiness before the Ark of the New Covenant: “Who am I that the Mother of my Lord shall come to me.”

St. John of Patmos: Brother Luke the great evangelist, scholar and physician, your insight reflects deeply in my Apocalypse. I saw the Ark of the Covenant in heaven, and consequently a Woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet. Mary’s Assumption, like a heavenly coronation, is undeniable.

Saint Robert Bellarmine: Well said our beloved visionary, brother John. I agree with you that the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary illustrates her role as the Ark of the Covenant, which is mirrored in your Book called Apocalypse. This affirms her unique place in salvation history.

Pope Pius XII: Brothers John and Robert Bellarmine, both of you have spoken well. Your points align with the proclamation I made in “Munificentissimus Deus” (The Most Bountiful God). Cardinal Robert, I recall that as a Jesuit scholar, you defended the doctrine of the Assumption against Protestant objections during the Counter-Reformation. Now, having collated the views of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Our Blessed Mother inspired me to write the Apostolic Constitution that solemnly defined this doctrine as dogma. In a nutshell, the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption is a dogma engraved in heaven’s design, affirming her singular role. Having made it a dogma, I placed a final full-stop in erasing doubts surrounding this belief, and guiding the people of God to understand it as a divinely revealed truth of faith.

(With this statement, there was a loud cheering and round of applause before the throne of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in her simplicity and humility, arose and knelt before the throne of the Godhead and offered them to the Most Holy Trinity. After this, St. Isidore came up…)

Saint Isidore of Seville: What an enlightening exchange, my heavenly brethren! From the foreshadowing in the Old Testament, through the Gospel, to the visions in Revelation, the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Assumption emerges as a profound testament to her unique role in salvation. As we conclude, let us offer a prayer in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose Assumption continues to inspire us even in this heavenly places.

Conclusion

Dear friends in Christ, in this joyful gathering of saints and theological luminaries, the doctrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary shines brilliantly. Through humour and wisdom, they underscore Mary’s unique role in salvation history. Her Assumption, like a cosmic journey, invites us to embrace hope and persevere on our path to holiness. May her intercession guide us toward eternal glory.

Let us pray:

O Blessed Virgin Mary, as you were assumed into heaven, guide us in our earthly journey. Just as you bring joy and hope to our hearts, intercede for us before your Son. O queen and Mother, obtain for us the increase in faith, confidence, and holy perseverance in friendship with God, so that we can, one day, go kiss your feet and unite our voices with those of the heavenly spirits, to praise and sing your glories eternally in heaven – Ave Maria! Amen.

N.B: The personalities and interactions were beautifully juxtaposed for an informative dialogue and better comprehension of the doctrine of the Assumption. To further deepen your knowledge on the topic of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, kindly see some reputable sources below:

Pope Pius XII – “Munificentissimus Deus” (1950). St. John Damascene – “On the Orthodox Faith”. St. Thomas Aquinas – “Summa Theologica” (Third Part, Question 27). St. Augustine – “City of God” (Book XXII, Chapter 25). St. Robert Bellarmine – “De Assumptione B.M. Virginis”. St. Francis de Sales – “Treatise on the Love of God”. St. Alphonsus Liguori – “The Glories of Mary”. St. John Eudes – “The Admirable Heart of Mary”. St. Louis de Montfort – “True Devotion to Mary”. St. Maximilian Kolbe – Various Writings. St. Pope John Paul II – Various Encyclicals and Homilies.

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Shalom!
© Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, OSJ (Fada Cjay)
Paroquia Nossa Senhora de Loreto, Vila Medeiros, São Paulo, Brazil
nozickcjoe@gmail.com / fadacjay@gmail.com

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