The Assumption of Mary is a historical journey of salvation

Parishioners remained vigilant yet joyful as they participated in the Feast of the Assumption from August 14 to 15 at the Church of the Assumption (City Parish).

Aug 22, 2020

By Aaron Lim
Parishioners remained vigilant yet joyful as they participated in the Feast of the Assumption from August 14 to 15 at the Church of the Assumption (City Parish).

They had their body temperatures checked upon arrival, used the MySejahtera application and wore face masks as they sat physically apart in church to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP).

An evening vigil Mass was celebrated in Mandarin on August 14, and a morning Mass was held on the actual feast of August 15 with parish priest Msgr Aloysius Tan as the main preacher.

Msgr Tan shared in his homily that Mary took a long, tough and difficult road yet she remained humble and surrendered to the will of God. “

The Book of the Apocalypse shows us God’s plan for human salvation, to be in His glorious presence. But we need to be prepared to follow His plan just as Mary did,” he said.

Msgr Tan urged parishioners to always be receptive to the invitation of God, to trust and live in the presence of God by drawing strength and inspiration from Mary.

The climax of the celebration was the Sunset Mass on August 15 which was celebrated by Bishop Sebastian Francis, with Msgr Tan and Fr Francis Anthony as concelebrants.

Bishop Sebastian traced the history of this solemnity back to the fifth century where it was celebrated in the Roman Empire, and St John of Damascus described this teaching as the Dormition of Mary before the term  was changed to the Assumption.

“All this demonstrates the continuity of our faith when Pope Pius XII declared in 1950 that the Assumption of Mary into heaven is an infallible doctrine of the Catholic Church.”

Bishop Sebastian also highlighted the significance of the date August 15 in remembering the dedication of the Diocese of Pyongyang in North Korea to Our Lady of Fatima.

The Bishop expressed closeness between the Catholic communities of Penang and Korea as two College General martyrs sacrificed themselves for the faith in Korea during the 19th century.


“When we look back at all these events surrounding Mary’s assumption, we speak about ourselves as part of the history for the salvation of all mankind.”

Bishop Sebastian acknowledged the fears of each individual and their families as they struggled to cope with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Remember that we are part of a larger community; that we will be able to rise up, transcend and move beyond to face all challenges together with all people of God.”

Bishop Sebastian shared two “weapons of mass destruction” with the congregation, which is the cross and the rosary which can be used to banish all forms of evil and harm.

“Let the cross and the rosary be our sign too no matter what happens. It is not to be used against enemies but for peoples who have yet to be evangelised,” he said.

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