Assumption of Mary in Australia

The Assumption of Mary, or simply The Assumption, is the taking up of the body of Virgin Mary to heaven. It signifies the end of her human life on earth. The dormition of Mother of God is the other name of Assumption of Mary. This event is one of the most important events in Christian community. The Assumption of Mary is one of the most relevant among all Marian Feasts. This day is considered as heavenly birthday of the Virgin Mary.

Feast of the Assumption in Australia

The Assumption is a holy day of obligation. In Australia, Christian people are obliged to go to the church to attend the services in line with the Feast of the Assumption. The churches in Australia, especially the images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are decorated with flowers and are lighted with candles. In most cases, processions and parades are also organized by the ministry of church.

The readings, sermons and teachings in the Christian churches talks about lifting of the human body from the Blessed Virgin Mary to the heaven during the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. In Christian or Catholic schools, the students are taught of the story of the Assumption of Mary. There are also school activities that encourage the students to learn more about the story of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Orthodox community also celebrates the Assumption. They have a fourteen-day of fasting in preparation to the celebration of taking up of human body of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Public and the Feast of the Assumption in Australia

The Feast of the Assumption is a holy day of obligation in Australia. It is not declared as a federal holiday in this country. Thus, public and private offices and government departments operate during the Feast of Assumption. Similarly, the students attend classes in their schools. Commercial establishments such as banks, shops, and restaurants are also open during this day. Employees proceed to their respective jobs during the Feast of Assumption. After their working hours, the Christians who belong to the work force go straight to their churches to attend mass and services. There are no major traffic obstructions, except in areas where processions and parades of the images of Blessed Virgin Mary happen. In some churches, they celebrate the Feast of the Assumption with dances in the streets.