On Saturday 15 August, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary when according to our faith, she, “having completed her course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”

When visiting the National Gallery in London some years ago, I was mesmerised by the impressive painting by Francesco Botticini. Its theme is ‘The Assumption of the Virgin’ and it is believed to have been commissioned for a church in Florence around 1475, five hundred years before Pope Pius XII defined the doctrine of the Assumption.

I think that the first thing that struck me was its geometry. The contrasting colours portraying earth and heaven. I love how Botticini has placed the viewer in a privileged position, to view heaven and earth, something which appears to escape the disciples who are looking into the empty tomb and gathered in groups.

At the centre of heaven is Mary, kneeling before her son. All the major figures of salvation history are gathered as privileged witnesses of the event. Here, Botticini is pointing to the significance of Mary’s Assumption.

In the very fullness of her faith and womanhood, Mary shows us that faith does not close us off from the world but makes us more open to it.

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me
and holy is his Name."

Yours in Faith, Justice and Learning