Spirituality

Sixty years ago, on November 1^st 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption of Mary.  We could wonder how a religious family with the name “Assumption” might have contributed to this event. It would be presumptuous to think that the Assumption had any influence whatsoever on the Pope’s decision, but it is legitimate to think that certain of its most eminent members helped to bring this idea to maturity, thus preparing the Pope to make his proclamation during the Holy Year.

“TOTA PULCHRA EST” (antiphon for the feast of the Immaculate Conception)

Not long ago, I was sitting in a small, fairly secluded park in the middle of Boston, that big and busy American city. It was a beautiful summer day, with a cool breeze and a bright early morning sun. The small park is elegantly designed, with well placed fountains, shrubs and plants and an aging arbor, whose stone and wood elements are interlaced with vigorously growing vines. Laborers and office workers, some alone, others in groups, were drinking coffee and eating a donut before heading to work for the day. Without thinking of it too much, they were enjoying their last leisure moments and the beauty of the place.