The Assumption of Mary

"Did Mary go straight to heaven?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

At the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Her body did not see corruption but was glorified.

Quick Overview

The Bible shows Enoch and Elijah taken bodily to heaven. If God did this for prophets, wouldn't He do more for His own Mother? Mary's body—which held Jesus for nine months—was too precious for corruption. God took her home, body and soul.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Revelation 12:1

"A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet."

Why This Matters

The woman in Revelation, identified with Mary, is depicted in heavenly glory—body and soul.

Psalm 132:8

"Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified."

Why This Matters

The Ark (Mary) rises to God's resting place. Mary, as the Ark of the New Covenant, is taken up.

1 Corinthians 15:54-55

"Death is swallowed up in victory... O death, where is thy sting?"

Why This Matters

Mary, preserved from sin, would not suffer corruption—the wages of sin. Victory over death was hers.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Having completed her earthly life, Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory (CCC 966). This dogma was defined in 1950 but believed from the earliest centuries.

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Gregory of Tours

c. 590 AD

"The Lord took her holy body and had it carried on a cloud into paradise, where, reunited with her soul, she now enjoys endless happiness with His elect."

— Eight Books of Miracles, 1:4

St. John of Damascus

c. 749 AD

"It was fitting that she who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death."

— Dormition of Mary, 2:14

Immaculate Conception

The Rosary

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