Father Chris Axline Video Chat - Aug. 9, 2024

St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (Gilbert, AZ) Podcasts

The Assumption of Our Lady Into Heaven

Hello St. Mary Magdalene,

Thursday August 15th is the solemnity and holy day of obligation where we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. This feast is a reminder for us of our final hope, to be united body and soul into Heaven with Jesus.

Also, our new mosaics are in! They are a phoenix and a pelican. The phoenix is situated over the ambo due to its connection with resurrection. St. Paul speaks in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 about how we will, at a word of command from Christ rise to meet Him when He comes again at the end of days. The pelican, situated over the presider's chair is an image of the Eucharist. Depicted on the mosaic is a mother pelican plucking the meat from her own chest in order to feed her young, giving her life to save theirs. This is exactly what Christ does for us in the Eucharist, giving us His Body and Blood so that we might have life! The meaning for both the phoenix and the pelican are actually handed down to us from the earliest Christians who saw in these animals an allegory for how God is at work in our lives.

Have a great week and I will see you on Sunday and then again on the 15th for the holy day!

God bless,

Fr. Chris

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