Mary's Assumption and US

Today's Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, body and soul into heaven at the conclusion of her earthly life, has much to say to us today.  The Dogma of the Assumption proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950 formalized a belief that had been held for centuries that, like Jesus, Mary's body is also in heaven, as an assurance that ours someday will be as well.  Pope Pius's proclamation came to a world still reeling from the massive loss of lives in two world wars, and affirmed the human dignity of both soul and body.  It reassures us that our faith is embodied in everything we do and in who we are, not something abstract and separate from everyday life, a fundamental Christian belief, and certainly a basic premise of Marist Spirituality and Mission.  We seek to help others know and love Jesus through our simple interactions  with one another and through our lives as "servant leaders" as we serve in various ways from teaching to attending to the smallest details to show our love, the love of Jesus for us.
 For many Marists,  this is the anniversary of the taking of our Marist Habit and our Vows a year later, days when we pledged to follow Mary to Jesus in our earthly lives and eventually to heaven.  With her we and all Marists can all sing our Magnificat, because the Lord has done marvels for us, and ever holy remains the greatness of his name.
Bro. Rene