Solemnity: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Patronal Feast is on Thursday 15 August. We celebrate the Assumption of Mary Mother of God because this illustrates for us the truth about Christ’s promise of eternal life and the resurrection of the faithful. The solemnity of the Assumption calls us to appreciate more deeply the dignity of the human body and its intimate link to our spirituality.

The gospel for this day highlights Mary's faith which enabled her to recognise the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.

Readings of the Day

Rev 11:19, 12:1-6, 10  I saw a woman clothed with the sun and with the moon beneath her feet.

Psalm 44:10-12, 16  R. The queen stands at your right hand arrayed in gold.

1 Cor 15:20-26  As members of Christ all people will be raised, Christ first, and after him all who belong to Him.

Alleluia, alleluia! Mary is taken up to heaven, and the angels of God shout for joy. Alleluia.

Lk 1:39-56. The Almighty has done great things for me; he has lifted up the lowly.

Music

Mō Maria     by Bishop Pompallier

Mō Maria aianei

O tātou waiata

Kia kaha rā tātou

Kia nui te aroha

Chorus

Mō maria aianei

O tātou waiata

Kia kaha rā tātou

Kia nui te aroha

Verse

Aroha ki te Atua

Aroha ki a Maria

I te Rangi,

te whenua

āke tonu, āke tonu.

Chorus

 

English translation

For Mary now, Our songs. Let us be strong. Let there be great love.

Love God, Love Mary. In heaven, And on earth, For ever and ever.

 

Ka waiata ki a Maria   by Richard Puanaki                    

Ka waiata ki a Maria                          

Hine i whakaae,                                             

whakameatia mai                                

he whare tangata.                             

Hine pūrotu,                                        

hine ngākau,                                      

hine rangimārie.                                                                      

Ko te whāea,                                        

ko te whāea o te ao (o te ao).

 

English translation

Sing of Mary who consented – be it done to me.

Handsome, heart-filled, peaceful woman. Mother of the world.

 

Traditional Prayers to Mary, Mother of God.

A prayer to Our Lady for protection through her patronage. 

(Northern te reo version)

E oma ana mātou ki roto i tōu pā,

e te Hāta Matua o te Atua,

aua koe e whakakino ki ō mātou īnoinga

i ō mātou mate engari, whakaorangia mātou

āke āke i ngā mea mataku katoa,

e te Takakau i whakakorōriatia,

ā, i whakapainga.

Āmene.

A prayer to Our Lady for protection through her patronage. 

(Southern te reo version)

E oma atu ana mātou ki ā koe,

e te Whāea tapu o te Atua,

hei piringa mō mātou: aua e whakakino mai

ki a mātou īnoi i ō mātou mate,

ēngari whakaorangia mātou i ngā mea whakamataku katoa,

e te Takakau i whakakorōriatia,

ā, i whakapaingia.

Āmene.

Compiled by Deacon Danny and Maru Karatea-Goddard March 2020

Image on the main slider. 'Ko Hāta Maria, te Matua Wahine o te Atua (Holy Mary, Mother of God).'

Damien Walker (2021)