A week from today is the feast of the Assumption of Mary!

You can check out a cool timeline about how this feast came to be here, but basically, it is the day we celebrate Mary’s ascent to heaven at the end of her life.

Traditionally, the Church has celebrated this day in a big way. For example:

• In Portugal, a brass band and traditional drums and bagpipes play while statues of Mary, Queen of the Angels, are crowned in the churches.
• In Siena, there takes place “Palio di Siena,” a horse race in the city’s public square.
• In Armenia, the Sunday nearest to the Feast of the Assumption is set aside for the Blessing of the Grapes. When trays full of fruit are brought into the churches, blessed, and then taken home by members of the congregation.
• In France, couples will hold off on engagement until this feast day, and then ask Mary to bless their future marriage.

Pretty cool. Some Churches across the U.S. will have processions on this feast (Or the Sunday right before). So that is something to look out for in your area!

However, if brass bands and horse races are out of the question, there are still fun ways to celebrate this beautiful feast:

• host a Marian tea. Whether it’s just you and your family, or you invite a big group over, you can stay on theme by using blue and white china and linens. Additionally, you can include grapes as a nod to the Armenian tradition! It might be fun to incorporate treats that resemble clouds like marshmallows—maybe in rice crispy treats?!
• go to Mass. I will say this for every feast day. But it’s such a perfect way to honor our Lady—by receiving her Son in the Eucharist! If you can’t make it to Mass, consider going through the readings of the day.
• Read this poem about the Blessed Virgin Mary. So so so good.
• Make this delicious-sounding Assumption salad, or these Stuffed Assumption Day Baked Stuffed Apples with Butter Rum Sauce (can you say YUM?!).
• Read this reflection on the Assumption of Our Lady from Divine Intimacy.
• Wear Marian colors! Blue, white, or pink (or a combination thereof) all the way.
• Leave beautiful flowers at a statue of Mary—whether it’s in your house, in a Church, or at a Shrine.
• Make these Assumption rolls (and watch the bread rise, just like Mary did).
• Pray the Rosary. Our Lady asks us to pray this every day. But I think especially on her feast days, it is a beautiful way to honor and grow closer to her.

One of my favorite (easy) things to do to celebrate a feast when I’m just too tired or busy to plan, is to pick up something sweet and a bottle of wine and just enjoy it after dinner. So there’s your backup plan if all else fails.

I’d love to hear if you have other ideas for celebrating our Lady next week! It’s so good to make the most of these celebrations the Church gives us. It reminds us that being Catholic can be FUN and spread joy to others.

happy feasting.

M