HOLY DAY! The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin

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On the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, we celebrate our belief that Mary (having carried the Christ in the tabernacle, the ark, of her womb) did not suffer the physical decay and corruption of natural death but rather that she was assumed, body and soul, into heaven. The Eastern churches name this Feast the Dormition (the falling asleep) of the Blessed Virgin (see the image above!).

For prayer, I share with you Franz Biebl's  exquisite Ave Maria, flawlessly performed by Chanticleer.  Composed in 1964, Biebl intersperses the Ave with the three verses of the Angelus. In my estimation, Biebl's composition easily surpasses both the Schubert and Gounod Aves.

Scroll down for the lyrics in Latin and English.  I hope you'll take the time to listen and to pray...   

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Angelus Domini, nuntiavit Mariae,
et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum;
benedicta tu in mulieribus
et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesus. 
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Maria dixit, ecce ancilla Domini,
fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
Mary said: behold the servant of the Lord,
let it be done to me according to your word.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum;
benedicta tu in mulieribus
et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesu.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Et verbum caro factum est,
et habitavit in nobis. 
And the word became flesh
and dwelled among us.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum;
benedicta tu in mulieribus
et benedictus fructus ventris tui Jesu.
Sancta Maria, mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatoribus
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you;
blessed are you among women
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us, sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

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