This week we have the Feast of the Assumption - an important feast when we remember that Mary was honoured to be assumed into Heaven both body and soul. 

Why was Mary honoured in such a way? Because she is the ultimate example of faith for us all. As Catholics, we know that  Mary is not prayed to; rather, as a saint, we ask her to pray on our behalf. Above all, Mary is the best of Christian examples, showing us the way, through her life of selflessness and commitment to the will of God, to Jesus and God. Andrew Chin, through his song Our Lady of the Southern Cross links the idea that like in ancient times travellers used the stars to find the way, so there’s a poetic link to Mary, through the Southern Cross and patronage of our Southern Lands, showing the way. The verse reflects the life of Mary and challenges us to be like her:-

You walked in his way, you were humble yet strong

May we hear God’s call to be all that we can be

To be people of hope, people of peace

So today on August 15, we pause to reflect on Mary and how we can follow her example of faith.