FEAST OF ASSUMPTION OF MARY
15TH AUGUST
Leader:
Dear brothers and sisters, today we gather at a beautiful crossroads of heaven and earth. We celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—her ultimate liberation and entry into heavenly glory—and we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day, a testament to earthly freedom and dignity.
Mary, Queen of Peace, stands as the ultimate symbol of love, harmony, and freedom from sin. As we honor her assumption, we also pray for our nation and the world, asking that true freedom and peace prevail everywhere.
Let us stand and unite our hearts as we greet our Mother and our Lord.
Leader: Mary, Un tier of Knots, who unravels the chains of our captivity and leads us into the glorious freedom of God’s children…
All: We praise you and thank you, Mother.
Leader: Mary, Mother of Harmony, who gathers all cultures, races, and nations under the mantle of your universal love…
All: We praise you and thank you, Mother.
Leader: Mary, Mirror of Justice, who stood by the oppressed and continues to champion the dignity of every human soul…
All: We praise you and thank you, Mother.
Leader: Mary, Dawn of the New Creation, assumed body and soul into heaven, showing us the ultimate destiny of true liberation…
All: We praise you and thank you, Mother.
Let us continue to greet our blessed mother whose assumption we celebrate today with the words of angels as we honour her with the arathi, garlanding and sprinkling of flowers
Song: Mangalam Mangalam [ The bell rings]
Reader:
Let us look to the heavens, where the lowliest servant of the Lord is now crowned in glory. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not just a historical event; it is the ultimate promise of our own freedom.
Mary, who bore the weight of the world’s savior, who stood broken but faithful beneath the cross, is taken up—body and soul—into heavenly splendor. In her, the chains of death, decay, and sin are completely broken. She is the first of humanity to experience total, absolute liberation.
When we feel weighed down by the heavy burdens of earthly life—by illness, grief, or the weariness of our daily struggles—the Assumption whispers hope into our hearts. Mary stands in heaven as our mother and advocate, showing us that our physical bodies, our daily labors, and our quiet sufferings matter to God. She teaches us that our ultimate home is not bound by the limitations of this earth, but is found in the boundless freedom of God’s eternal love.
(A moment of silent reflection)
Reading :
Galatians 5:1, 13-14)
”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery… You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
We feel blessed and privileged with the sacrifice of our beloved Mother Mary who stands as the icon of freedom and liberation. Come let us once again gloriously greet her through the song
SONG:
Today is the remarkable day in the history of our nation India. Let us look upon our nation, a beautiful tapestry of diverse cultures, languages, and beliefs, breathing the air of freedom. As we celebrate Independence Day, we remember that liberty is both a precious gift and a sacred responsibility.
We honor the countless sacrifices of the brave souls who dreamed of a nation where every individual could walk with dignity, free from oppression. Their blood, sweat, and tears purchased the freedom we enjoy today. But true independence is not merely the absence of a foreign ruler; it is the presence of justice, love, and harmony among all people.
Today, we ask ourselves: Are we truly free if our brothers and sisters still suffer from poverty, prejudice, or fear? India’s true soul thrives when we break down the walls of division and build bridges of peace. As a nation, we are called to be a light to the world—a sanctuary of coexistence where harmony prevails. We commit ourselves today to guard this independence, not with weapons of hatred, but with hearts of service, ensuring that the fruits of freedom reach the last, the least, and the lost.
(A moment of silent reflection)
Remembering the sacrifice and selfless effort of our ancestors of our mother earth let us sing
JOYFUL LIPS
Q: 10
[ Offertory : On the image of dove the following words are fixed ]1.LOVE, 2. JOY, 3. PEACE, 4. HOPE, 5. HARMONY AND 6.FREEDOM
As we gaze upon this image of the Dove—the symbol of the Holy Spirit and of peace—we recognize that true peace is a beautiful tapestry woven from love, joy, hope, and harmony. We now bring these virtues to the feet of Mother Mary. As we pin these themes to the Dove, we surrender our world to her maternal guidance.
1.LOVE (For the World)
The foundation of Mary’s love is her fiat. When the Angel Gabriel announced she would bear the Son of God, her response was a complete, trusting surrender:
”Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)
She did not fully know what the future held, but she said “yes” anyway. It is a love defined not by fleeting emotions, but by a firm decision of the will to align with God’s purpose.
Prayer:
”Mother Mary, we pin this symbol of Love upon the Dove of Peace. Guide our world to look past borders, races, and divisions. Teach humanity to love unconditionally, just as you loved, turning strangers into neighbours and enemies into friends. Mother of Love, guide our world.”
All: Hail Mary full of grace ….. [ Chanting]
2. JOY (For the Religious & Consecrated)
The most famous biblical expression of Mary’s joy is her song of praise, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). After accepting her calling, she visits her pregnant cousin Elizabeth, and her joy erupts into a song:
”My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”
This isn’t just personal happiness about having a baby; it is a radical, justice-minded joy. In her song, Mary rejoices because God is turning the world’s power structures upside down—lifting up the lowly, filling the hungry with good things, and scattering the proud. Her joy is found in the realization that God champions the marginalized and the small.
Prayer:
”Mother Mary, we pin this symbol of Joy upon the Dove. We surrender to you all priests, sisters, and religious leaders. Infuse their hearts with the pure joy of the Gospel. May their lives of service be a radiant beacon that draws others to the light of Christ. Cause of our Joy, guide our religious.”
All: Hail Mary full of grace ….. [ Chanting]
3. PEACE (For War-Torn Nations)
Mary’s connection to peace begins with her choice to say “Yes” (Fiat) to bearing Jesus. Because Jesus is referred to in scripture as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), Mary is naturally honoured as the Mother of Peace. True peace is seen not merely as the absence of war, but as a deep spiritual harmony that flows from God—a harmony Mary perfectly modelled through her trust and surrender.
Prayer:
”Mother Mary, we pin this symbol of Peace upon the Dove. We lift up all nations torn apart by war, terrorism, and political strife. Silence the roar of weapons, heal the trauma of the innocent, and guide world leaders toward the path of reconciliation. Queen of Peace, guide the nations at war.”
All: Hail Mary full of grace ….. [ Chanting]
4. HOPE (For the Youth)
Mary is considered a symbol of hope because her entire life was an exercise in trusting the unseen:
She carried the promise of a transformed future. At the crucifixion, when Christ’s followers scattered in despair, Mary stood at the foot of the cross. Christian tradition views her presence there as the ultimate anchor of hope—she held onto the promise of God’s victory even in the face of death.
In Catholic doctrine, Mary’s assumption into heaven is viewed as a promise to all believers. It is a sign of hope that earthly suffering is not the end, and that a peaceful eternity awaits.
Prayer:
”Mother Mary, we pin this symbol of Hope upon the Dove. We surrender the youth of today into your hands. In a world filled with anxiety, confusion, and pressure, guard their dreams. Give them the courage to build a better tomorrow and the hope that never fades. Mother of Holy Hope, guide our youth.”
All: Hail Mary full of grace ….. [ Chanting]
5. HARMONY (For Families & Communities)
Mary’s harmony is not reserved solely for Jesus; it extends to all of humanity.
In the Gospel of John, while dying on the cross, Jesus looks down at Mary and his disciple John, saying, “Woman, behold, your son!” and to John, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27). This moment is viewed as Jesus giving Mary to all of humanity as a spiritual mother.
Mary is often depicted as the Mother of Mercy. This symbol represents an unconditional, maternal love that offers refuge, safety, and comfort to anyone who seeks it.
Prayer:
”Mother Mary, we pin this symbol of Harmony upon the Dove. Guide our families and local communities. Where there is misunderstanding, bring listening ears; where there is bitterness, bring forgiveness. Help us live together in beautiful, diverse unity. Mother of Harmony, guide our homes.”
All: Hail Mary full of grace ….. [ Chanting]
6.FREEDOM (For the poor & Broken hearted)
Mother Mary relieved the mourning moment of the wedding family at Cana. She freed them from the shameful condition of being verbally abused by the crowd. Her serene heart was receptive to listen the cry of the needy.
Prayer:
”Mother Mary, we pin this final symbol of Freedom upon the Dove. We pray for anyone enslaved by addiction, depression, fear, or sin. By your Assumption, you showed us the ultimate freedom of heaven; break the chains of those who are suffering on earth today. Comforter of the Afflicted, guide us to true freedom.”
All: Hail Mary full of grace ….. [ Chanting]
SONG: ——
Concluding Prayer
(Everyone stands)
[ A bowl with plain water is offered ]
”Mother Mary, we offer this water, asking you to calm the storms of war and violence. May peace prevail in every corner of the earth.
“We offer this water to symbolize the sacrifice of our freedom fighters and the unconditional love you have for humanity. Teach us to love without boundaries.
We offer this water for unity among all religions, cultures, and nations. May diversity be our strength, not our division.
We offer this for the growth of justice and the preservation of our earth. May our nation flourish in righteousness.
“We offer this clear, pure water to celebrate the gift of freedom. Keep our minds and spirits free from malice, prejudice, and fear.
We offer this vibrant water to thank God for the joy of the Assumption. May the hope of heaven keep us joyful in all trials.
“We offer this water acknowledging Christ our King and you, Mary, our Queen. Guide our leaders with wisdom and integrity.”
Almighty and everlasting God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory—look kindly upon us today.
We thank you for the priceless gift of freedom, both the spiritual freedom won by Christ and the civil freedom we enjoy in our nation. Through the powerful intercession of Mother Mary, protect our land. Let the dove of peace rest upon every household. May the colorful tapestry of our people weave a garment of perfect harmony.
Bring us all one day to the glory of the resurrection, where true freedom reigns forever and ever. Amen.