The feast of the Assumption marks the occasion when the Immaculate Mother of God had finished her time on earth and was taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven. The Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity had been eagerly awaiting her arrival. God the Father wished for the presence of His daughter, the only one of all the kith and kin of Adam and Eve who had never disappointed him. The Son desired the company of His most tender mother. The Holy Spirit longed for the caresses of His most perfect spouse. The saints and angels fervently awaited the presence of their Queen. When the hour came, the Blessed Virgin Mary was absorbed into Heaven. It had been prophesied in the Canticles of Solomon, "Arise, make haste, My lovely one, and come away… Show Me thy face, let Me hear thy voice, Thou are wholly beautiful, My love, immaculate, without a blemish." When in paradise, Our Lady was overawed in the presence of the Three Divine Persons and in heavenly ecstasy. When the apostles opened the tomb, they found only the grave clothes. The sublime celebration of Our Lady’s assumption into Paradise falls on a Saturday this year. Not only is it that bit more fitting to have a Marian feast on the day of the week dedicated to Mary, but it is a day off work for many people meaning they can go to Mass without begging for time off, or stressfully juggling their schedules. England is not a Catholic country, so the feast of the Assumption is not a public holiday, unlike other countries throughout the world. It is a holy day of obligation and usually young Catholics without families of their own, meet for a pint in the pub after Mass. For parents who are celebrating at home with young children, why not have party food that calls to mind the feast of the Assumption? On the blog Catholic Cuisine, I found this charming recipe for cakes that are decorated in honour of the Assumption.  We must, however, not isolate our contemplation of the Assumption, and think about it only on August 15. The fourth glorious mystery of the rosary, the Assumption, is the decade in which we pray for a tender devotion to Our Lady, Mother of God and Mother of us all. If we meditate on this mystery during the week, especially mid-week on Wednesday when so many stresses of daily life overwhelm us, we are more likely to keep the reality of going to Heaven in our minds. It can lift our spirits, knowing that if we keep faithful to God and do good works, that we may earn a place in Heaven.