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(Taken from
"Treasury of Novenas" with
Meditations by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D.)
MEDITATION
The Blessed Virgin Mary obeyed the law
of death, but her death was rather a peaceful slumber, a gentle
separation of the soul from the body. Her soul reached such a degree of love that it
seemed unable to rest any longer except in the blissful embrace of the Blessed Trinity.
It left her immaculate body and sped to enjoy the blessed vision of God. But
soon her beautiful soul was again united to her body which lay peacefully in the tomb, and
suddenly Mary stood immortal and glorified, clothed in queenly glory.
As angels sang their hymns of praise,
Mary was raised on high to the Kingdom of glory by God's own
power. Who can tell the joy of that loving embrace whereby Jesus welcomed and
admitted His own Virgin Mother to unending union with Him in the glory of heaven!
Mary's peaceful tomb had been opened by
the Apostles and found to be empty. Tradition tells us that beautiful flowers filled
the place where her body had once lain, and heavenly music enveloped her empty tomb.
The Apostles then realized that she had been taken up into heaven, soul and body.
It was fitting that
Mary should be assumed into heaven with soul and body. By her Assumption, God
honoured her body that was always the temple in which He dwelt by grace. It was a
gate through which the Son of God, the Divine Word, passed to earth and became Man.
It was fitting that Mary's holy and
virginal body which gave flesh and blood to the God of all sanctity, the Victor over
death, should never experience the corruption of the grave. Death and corruption are
a result of original sin; but by her Immaculate Conception Mary was preserved from
original sin and its effects.
Mary offered herself to suffering and
her beloved Son to death for the redemption of mankind; it was fitting that she should be
united with Him in glory.
We should rejoice that after years of
suffering on earth, Mary has at last been taken to the throne prepared for her in heaven
where she reigns with her Son. The Church expresses this joy on the solemn feast of
the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, August 15, which is also a Holy Day of Obligation.
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THE
WORD OF GOD
"We know that when the earthly
tent in which we dwell is destroyed we have a dwelling provided for us by God, a dwelling
in the heavens, not made by hands but to last forever." (2 Cor 5:1)
"Mary has chosen the better
portion and she shall not be deprived of it." (Lk 10:42)
"A great sign appeared in the sky,
a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of
twelve stars." (Rv 12:1)
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NOVENA
PRAYERS
Novena Prayer
Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, I
rejoice that after years of heroic martyrdom on earth, you have at last been taken to the
throne prepared for you in heaven by the Holy Trinity.
Lift my heart with you in the glory of
your Assumption above the dreadful touch of sin and impurity. Teach me how small
earth becomes that death is the triumphant gate through which I shall pass to your Son,
and that someday my body shall rejoin my soul in the unending bliss of heaven.
From this earth, over which I tread as
a pilgrim, I look to you for help. In honour of your Assumption into heaven I ask
for this favour: (Mention your request).
When my hour of death has come, lead me
safely to the presence of Jesus to enjoy the vision of my God for all eternity together
with you. Amen.
Prayer to the Queen of Heaven
and Earth
Mary, Assumed into Heaven, I venerate you as the Queen
of heaven and earth. Your own Son led you to a throne of glory in heaven next to His
own. As you tasted the bitterness of pain and sorrow with Him on earth, you now
enjoy eternal bliss with Him in heaven. I thank Jesus for having put a most
beautiful crown upon your head, while all the Angels and Saints acclaim you as their
Queen.
Because here below you shared in all the mysteries of
our Redemption, Jesus has crowned you not only with glory but with power. He placed
you at His right hand that you may dispose of the treasures of grace by a singular ittle -
that of Mother of God.
In the midst of all the Saints you stand as their Queen
and ours - dearer to the Heart of God than any creature in God's Kingdom. You pray
for your children and distribute to us every grace won by our loving Saviour on the Cross.
Queen Assumed into Heaven, may your glorious beauty
fill my heart with a distaste for earthly things and an ardent longing for the joys of
heaven.
May your merciful eyes glance down upon my struggles
and my weakness in this vale of tears. Crown me with the pure robe of innocence and
grace here, and with immortality and glory in heaven. Amen.
Prayer to Mary Assumed into Heaven
Mary, my dear Mother and mighty Queen, take and receive
my poor heart with all its freedom and desires, all its love and all the virtues and
graces with which it may be adorned. All I am, all I might be, all I have and hold
in the order of nature as well as of grace, I have received from God through your loving
intercession, my Lady and Queen. Into your sovereign hands I entrust all, that it
may be returned to its noble origin.
Mary, Queen of every heart, accept all that I am and
bind me to you with the bonds fo love, that I may be yours forever, and may be able to say
in all truth: "I belong to Jesus through Mary."
My Mother, assumed into heaven, I love you. Give
me a greater love for Jesus and for you.
Mary, Assumed into Heaven and Queen of the Universe,
ever-Virgin Mother of God, obtain peace and salvation for us throgh your prayers, for you
have given birth to Christ the Lord, the Saviour of all Mankind. Amen.
Prayer
Almighty, ever-living God, You raised to eternal glory
the body and soul of the immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son. Grant that our
minds may always be directed heavenward and that we may deserve to share in her glory.
Amen.
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