Written by Gustave - Updated on Apr 14, 2025
We have decided to write this article so that all believers can learn how important the Assumption is to our religion. The questions that many people are asking are: What is the history of the Assumption? Why is this holiday so important? What does the Assumption symbolize for all believers?
In the Catholic religion, there are various significant events that are celebrated regularly by all practicing Christians. These are considered to be religious holidays that optimally reinforce belief in God, and above all, openness to religion. The Assumption is therefore one of the religious festivals celebrated by very many Catholics. In addition to the large numbers of Christians who come to the various churches, the number of those expected each year in Lourdes continues to increase considerably.
The Assumption is an event that symbolizes God's love and wisdom. The Assumption festivities therefore exist thanks to the goodness of the Virgin Mary.
To find out more and answer all the questions asked above and others, we have written this text with the following sections:
- What is the Assumption?
- The origin of the Feast of the Assumption
- The history of the Assumption in France
- The various festivities associated with the Assumption
- The meaning of the Feast of the Assumption
- The significance of the Assumption for believers
- The Assumption concerns us all without exception
- A hope for not losing the path of wisdom
- Why choose to bring a Christian souvenir derived from the Assumption?
Without further ado, let's start reading the article!
What is the Assumption?
If you don't know what the Assumption is, we'll explain it to you. As Christians, we are always happy to share our knowledge of religion and what we know about this event. For believers, the Feast of the Assumption is an event that celebrates in a few words: the ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven. It was therefore during this period that her earthly life came to an end and she went directly to join her Son, who is none other than Jesus Christ. This feast is celebrated by Catholic Christians on August 15th of each year.
On this day, all those who believe in God, and even those who are not Catholic, do not work and the faithful devote their day to praying and thanking the Great King for all that he offers, and above all, for the life they lead thanks to his blessing. As this is a public holiday, thousands of Christians go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the Pyrenees, where the faithful engage in multiple prayers during this moment of contemplation.
The Dormition: the Orthodox name for the Assumption
The Dormition is another name for the Assumption used by the Orthodox religion. For Catholics, it is called the Assumption and for the Orthodox, the word “Dormition” is regularly used to name this holiday. As we said just a little earlier, it is a religious belief during which Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate the death of the mother of Jesus. She did not die a natural death, but entered directly into the kingdom of God. And according to the Christian religion, this entry was made by the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven. And it is from this important event for all Christians that the pope regularly pronounces the phrase: “after having completed the course of her earthly life”.
At present, no believer can answer the question of whether the Virgin Mary died before her Assumption. The belief in the Assumption is therefore defined as a religious dogma. However, the Eastern churches do not wish to define the Dormition in these dogmatic terms.
The origin of the Feast of the Assumption
The day on which the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven was celebrated in the 6th century in the city of Jerusalem, in a church that specialized in the Dormition. In Egypt, this event was celebrated on January 18. However, this date was changed by the Emperor of Constantinople, Maurice. The latter chose August 15 for the celebration of the feast of the Dormition. This only arrived in Rome in the 7th century.
Currently, in all the churches of the East, believers celebrate the Dormition and this event, which is known as the Dormition of the Holy Virgin. Around 594, Gregory of Tours offered the theological formulation of the Assumption. It was in Rome in the 8th century that this festival was celebrated on a fresco depicting the Assumption. This structure can be found in the underground basilica of Saint Clement. The doctrine of the Virgin Mary's ascension to heaven was then confirmed by all theologians of the 13th century.
History of the Assumption in France
While at the very beginning the Assumption was considered a holiday for Catholics, France is now one of the countries that dedicate August 15th to celebrating the Assumption. After 22 years of marriage, Louis XIII was certain that he would finally be able to have a child. He therefore understood that he had to recognize the Virgin Mary and dedicate his country, which was none other than France, to her. He made a moving declaration for all Christians throughout the world, stating that he wished to take the Holy Virgin as the patron saint of the Kingdom of France and also as its protector. He therefore made an official request that the feast of the Assumption be celebrated every year in all churches. Since then, all French believers attend a high mass in honor of the Holy Virgin every August 15th of each year.
For all Christians in France, the Virgin Mary has therefore become the main patron saint of the country. And this effervescence even goes beyond the French borders, Acadia, which represents a part of French-speaking Canada, also takes the mother of Jesus as its patron saint.
The various festivities associated with the Assumption
As the Assumption is generally a public holiday, many processions take place in Catholic parishes. And as you should know, as Christians, we must keep the faith and spread it to our neighbors. That is why each country has a way of showing their belief in God through the celebration of the Assumption.
In France, ever since Louis XIII vowed to be under the permanent protection of the Virgin Mary of the Assumption, the processions of the Virgin Mary have been followed and have given rise to specific festivities such as fireworks. For several years now, the Parisian procession has taken place every year on a boat on the Seine. It is also on this boat that Christians take out a silver statue of the Virgin, which is preciously kept during the year at Notre-Dame. This pilgrimage procession takes place on August 14th and several boats come down the Seine to go up to the south of the Île de la Cité. During this time, the pilgrims hold a candle in their hands and pray throughout the crossing.
In Belgium, a three-day procession takes place on August 15. The very important ceremonies for Christians are held in Banneux and at the sanctuaries of Beauraing.
For believers in Spain, all Christians can attend several festivals that take place throughout the country for the Assumption. Poland and Croatia also host these festivities for the Dormition.
In Italy, Christians can also enjoy processions in the region of Calabria and in Sicily. But also in Africa, Latin America, the Philippines, etc.
All these lines show that the Assumption festivities do not necessarily take place in a church. All Christians celebrate this event as they wish. That said, it is very common to see believers praying and making a pilgrimage during this Christian festival.
Meaning of the Feast of the Assumption
The Feast of the Assumption is a celebration of the death, the resurrection, the entry into paradise and the crowning of the Virgin Mary. The word “Assumption” in Latin means “to assume”, which is defined as “to take away” or “to take”. It is therefore from this that we can say that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up to heaven. You must take into consideration that it is with the use of this word that we can differentiate this event from that of the Ascension, which means to rise and marks the elevation of Christ into heaven.
For Catholic Christians, Mary has an exceptional and special place, because she is the one who agreed to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Miraculous Medal is a symbol that proves that Mary is very important to Catholics in France and throughout the world. It is true that the evangelists do not mention Mary on a regular basis, but she is considered to be the handmaid of Christ.
For all believers, Mary also represents the first believer and the first person to have placed her faith in Jesus and even in Almighty God. And like all human beings, the Virgin Mary had a normal life and therefore could not escape death. However, unlike humans, God helped her to go directly to heaven. This is explained by the fact that she committed no sin.
For Christians, Mary therefore represents the image and the journey of all those who live with faith and who accept to live with the presence of God in their lives. That said, every person who avoids sin and who knows how to talk to God to be forgiven and above all to have a peaceful life, can be welcomed directly into the Kingdom of God once they have died. All believers can therefore benefit from eternal life without any worries by following the rules that Jesus put in place, and therefore by doing good.
Significance of the Assumption for believers
A celebration that symbolizes the love of God
In addition to representing an extraordinary Christian event, the Assumption is a symbol of the love that God has for us. Indeed, as we mentioned above, all those who believe and accept Jesus into their hearts can turn to good faith and, above all, to a peaceful and calm life, with the word of God as their sole inspiration.
By choosing this path, human beings can prove that they can believe and use this word in everyday life. And this is what drives them to do good on earth by helping their neighbor. Or quite simply, by drawing inspiration from the actions of Jesus, the Son of the Great Savior, in order to be able to live in the right way.
The love of God is therefore shown in the Assumption, because it makes all Christians understand that those who wish to live with him and avoid evil can be taken directly at death and will therefore never know hell. Only paradise awaits them. And it is through this fascinating story of the Virgin Mary that God shows us his love.
An important event in everyone's eyes
It is true that the Assumption is a holiday recognized by all Catholics. Some people who are not of the Catholic religion are also present during the various festivities to give glory to Jesus.
Indeed, the Assumption is an important event that does not divide all religions. Moreover, all over the world, on this blessed day, all businesses are closed. That being said, everyone considers the Assumption to be an essential holiday!
The grace that elevates good people
Mary carries Christ within her. That said, the entire life of the Virgin Mary represents a mystery of abandonment and acceptance. She therefore accepted the presence of Jesus in her life, regardless of the difficulties she encountered, and she allowed herself to be guided by Almighty God.
With Mary, we can join the movement and thus benefit from God's grace by ascending to heaven with her. The day of the Assumption is a certainty of faith and also represents the fruit of the resurrection of Christ. It helps all Christians who think they are bad to have faith and, above all, to hope for a life in peace and in belief.
The Assumption also helps us to highlight another facet of the Christian faith. We can welcome God's gift into our lives and thus celebrate this grace that can lift up the humble and bring low those who have great power.
A guide to show us the way forward
The Feast of the Assumption is a day dedicated not only to Mary, but also to the love of God, who was able to place himself in the heart of a woman. But know that we celebrate God more through this event than Mary, because our creator wanted, through this elevation of Mary, to show us how he can give the best to humble people. It was Christ who accomplished wonderful things for his mother and who was able to make Mary happy by offering her a new life. The world of the Gospel represents a place where the powerful can be overthrown and the humble can be exalted. The rich can also be sent away and the poor have the opportunity to be fulfilled.
It is therefore on this special day that we can optimally celebrate the fulfillment of humanity, a work of God. Mary represents the first person of God who was given. She can therefore lead us to Christ. Her story allows us to learn about the most beautiful goal for our life, as well as the path to take to achieve it. It is to Christ that she leads us.
In many churches, you can see an image of the Virgin Mary standing next to a bishop. The bishop is wearing specific vestments. Mary is standing above an altar and is holding the baby Jesus out to it. This representation symbolizes a lot for Christians. In fact, Mary is showing us in this representation that it is not her presence that counts, but that of Jesus Christ.
It is therefore essential, for all those who wish to follow the same path as Mary, to continue to be humble and never draw attention to ourselves.
The Assumption concerns us all without exception
We are believers and we must therefore share everything we know with all those who wish to know the history of the Bible. It is therefore essential to talk about the relationship we can have with the Virgin Mary when the subject of the Assumption is raised.
It is important to consider that everything that can be said about Mary concerns us and can enlighten us in the life we lead. She is the first person on earth to have followed the right path, which is none other than the path of God. However, whether in the professional or personal domain, our path cannot necessarily be the same as that of Mary. Indeed, unlike her life, we may commit sins. This means that we can live with certain errors in faith. And this failure can take different forms and sometimes generate great sadness when we realize our mistakes...
Hope that we don't lose the path of wisdom
But are we going to lose the right path and leave the path of Christ? The answer is no, because Mary can be present to give us hope for a radical change in our lives. She came to earth to give birth to the one who can save us from all the sins we commit. She is, in a way, a representation of us.
When God looks at us, it is as if he sees the Virgin Mary, who is the image of humanity bearing his Son. We are therefore taken on by God, because we are one with Mary. The Assumption is therefore a hope for our life and especially for our future. It is a privilege that God offers us and a reality that concerns Mary. This mystery can be difficult to understand, but we hold it deep in our hearts and recognize Mary as an emblem of peace and love.
Why choose to wear jewelry of the Virgin Mary?
If you have loved ones who wish to know the exact meaning of the Assumption, do not hesitate to share our article with them. Thanks to the above lines, you have been able to understand more clearly the “religious significance of the Assumption”, and above all, what this event can symbolize for all Christians, Catholic or not, throughout the world. This text will guide you on the path to eternal life. 🙏
All those who wish to follow the path of Jesus can consider the Virgin Mary as a protector and above all as a representative of all human beings in the eyes of God. And now you know how the day of the Assumption has become an important celebration for all believers.
If you liked this story about the feast of the Assumption, then we are sure you will love to learn about the origin of the Christmas holiday. Well, we have an excellent article that will answer all your questions.
