Honoring our Blessed Mother Mary

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Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a dogma of the Catholic Church.  The Church teaches us that Mary, born in a state of grace and sinless through her life on earth, was assumed into heaven body and soul.  On this Holy Day of Obligation, we recognize Mary’s rightful place in heaven with our Lord, uniting herself to us in the celebration of Holy Mass. As a loving mother, Mary always listens to us and intercedes for us before her Son. 

Earlier this month, I journeyed with young people to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) when over 1.5 million pilgrims gathered with the Holy Father in Lisbon, Portugal.  There I experienced and witnessed a Church which is youthful and alive in the Spirit!  I am grateful for the young people, priests and religious from the Diocese of Austin who made this pilgrimage. I spoke with, listened to, and celebrated Holy Mass with young people from around the world.  For many this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, was present and met with, prayed, and encouraged young people, clergy and religious.  The high point of WYD was the Pope’s celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.  It was providential that World Youth Day concluded on the celebration of the Transfiguration of Christ since we are all called by Christ to experience our own transformation. Each time we receive the Eucharistic we are transformed.

Like the pilgrims at World Youth Day, may we all be transformed, sharing in the victory over sin and always seeking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s guidance to grow closer to her son, Jesus.

Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.

Yours in Christ, 
Bishop Joe Vásquez