Saints LightThe Assumption: Body and Soul into Heaven
At the end of her earthly life Mary was taken body and soul into heaven, the first to share fully in her Son's resurrection and a sign of what he promises us.
What this lesson teaches
- Pius XII defined in 1950 that Mary was taken body and soul into heavenly glory.
- The dogma leaves open whether Mary died first; the Eastern Church calls the feast the Dormition.
- Jesus ascended by his own power; Mary was assumed by God's power.
- The Assumption is a preview of the resurrection God promises to all the faithful.
Catechism paragraphs this lesson cites
- CCC 966
- CCC 974
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Scripture read in this lesson: Revelation 12:1 (Apocalypse in Douay-Rheims); 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; Psalm 131:8 (132:8 in most modern Bibles).
A sample question from this lesson
What does the dogma of the Assumption teach?
- Mary ascended into heaven by her own power
- Mary's soul went to heaven but her body remained on earth
- Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory
- Mary never lived a fully human life
Show the answer
Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory. Pius XII defined in 1950 that Mary was taken, body and soul, into the glory of heaven (CCC 966).
The lesson in the app has three questions, each with an explanation.
Words to know
- Ex cathedra
- 'From the chair': when the pope defines a doctrine of faith or morals with his full authority, protected from error.
- Dormition
- 'Falling asleep': the Eastern name for the end of Mary's earthly life and her Assumption.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
Read the full lesson in the app
"The Assumption: Body and Soul into Heaven" is lesson 5 of Mary and the Saints. In Saints Light you get the whole teaching, the Scripture quoted in full, all three questions and a step to live it this week.
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Related lessons
- Mary and the Saints: The Family of God (Start Here, free)