Our Lady on Saturday: The Ongoing Work of the Assumption

St. Amadeus of Lausanne was educated at Cluny and, like so many other young noblemen, fell under the spell of St. Bernard and entered Clairvaux, eventually becoming Abbot of Illautcombe in 1139 and Bishop of Lausanne in 1144. His sermons remain classics of devotion to the Mother of God.

In his Seventh Homily on the Blessed Virgin Mary, he speaks of the Blessed Mother's ongoing work of intercession in heaven, saying that the Assumption was not the completion of her work or only a reward for her exemplary life, but that she was raised up so that she could pray all the more effectively for the living and the dead

When the Virgin of virgins was led by God and his Son, the King of kings, amid angels triumphant, archangels rejoicing, and heaven resounding with praises, then was fulfilled the prophecy of David, who said to the Lord: "the Queen stood on your right hand in a vesture of gold, wrought about with diverse colours." Then, according to the word of Solomon:" Daughters have risen up and called her blessed and queens have praised her." "Who is she", says the heavenly virtues, "who ascends in white, leaning upon her beloved?" And again: "Who is she who goes forth like the rising dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun?" Again they say, " Who is she who goes up through the desert like a column of smoke from the perfumes of myrrh and incense and all the powders of the perfumers?" That splendour is for us strange and wondrous, strange and glorious, this plan of her Assumption; strange and pleasing, this most sweet odor.

Sanctifying Time: The Angelus

Cemetery Shrine of Our Lady, New Subiaco Abbey, Arkansas.

Saturday is traditionally given over to the commemoration of the Virgin in the Mass and in praying the Office of Our Lady.  With work and schedules, those may not be customs that are in reach of many people today, but throughout the centuries, the Church in her wisdom has provided devotions suited to all conditions and circumstances.

One of the pious customs all but lost lost in more recent years is the thrice-daily recitation of the Angleus, in which we sanctify time by briefly remembering the Incarnation and the example provided by Our Lady in the morning, at mid day, and day’s end.  Originally a simple set of three Hail Marys, later three petitions were added recalling the Virgin’s answer to the angelic salutation at the Annunciation. Later still, a concluding versicle and collect were added.

      V. The Angel of the Lord brought tidings unto Mary:

      R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

     V. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

    R. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

    V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord:

    R. Be it unto me according to thy word.