Sunday 14 August

the
Assumption
of the
Blessed
Virgin
Mary

(Transferred to 14 August for 2016)

Apocalypse 11:19, 12:1-6, 10; Ps 45; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26; Luke 1:39-56

Mary, assumed into heaven

Patronal Feast of Aotearoa New Zealand

This Sunday is the transferred feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 1838 Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier dedicated the Catholic Mission in New Zealand to Mary, assumed into heaven. He later wrote verses for a hymn in Māori honouring Mary, including these lines:

Now let Mary be the theme of our song,

Let us raise our voice,
Let our love be great.
Mother of Jesus, Mother mine,
Help me to repay your love,
With love of mine.
Let us love God,
Let us love Maria,
In heaven, on earth,
For ever and ever.