Quick question on the Assumption of Mary

[Kopratic]

Hi,

I’ve been doing a bit of research on the Assumption. I remember reading here a while back that a lot of times something isn’t dogmatically defined unless it is being attacked. That seemed to be the case with Mary being the Mother of God back when that was first dogmatically defined.

I assume that this is also the case with the Assumption not being made dogma until 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Is it? If so, can anyone provide anything on why the dogma was made? {e.g., -x- heresy}

Thank you very much!

 

[bzkoss236]

Actually, from what I remember, the case with this, and with the Immaculate Conception of Mary, were dogmatically defined at that time, not because it was being attacked (necessarily), but because many people asked for it to be. I think there was some confusion as to what the Church actually taught in regard to these aspects of Mary.

 

[thistle]

Actually, from what I remember, the case with this, and with the Immaculate Conception of Mary, were dogmatically defined at that time, not because it was being attacked (necessarily), but because many people asked for it to be. I think there was some confusion as to what the Church actually taught in regard to these aspects of Mary.

I think you are right.

 

[Kopratic]

Ah, I see. Looks like I’ll have to change what I’m searching for. I never knew that about the Assumption dogma {i.e., people just asking for it}. Thanks!

 

[thistle]

Ah, I see. Looks like I’ll have to change what I’m searching for. I never knew that about the Assumption dogma {i.e., people just asking for it}. Thanks!

Extract from MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS

DEFINING THE DOGMA OF THE ASSUMPTION

QUOTE

1. Actually it was seen that not only individual Catholics, but also those who could speak for nations or ecclesiastical provinces, and even a considerable number of the Fathers of the Vatican Council, urgently petitioned the Apostolic See to this effect.
2. During the course of time such postulations and petitions did not decrease but rather grew continually in number and in urgency. In this cause there were pious crusades of prayer. Many outstanding theologians eagerly and zealously carried out investigations on this subject either privately or in public ecclesiastical institutions and in other schools where the sacred disciplines are taught. Marian Congresses, both national and international in scope, have been held in many parts of the Catholic world. These studies and investigations have brought out into even clearer light the fact that the dogma of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption into heaven is contained in the deposit of Christian faith entrusted to the Church. They have resulted in many more petitions, begging and urging the Apostolic See that this truth be solemnly defined.
3. In this pious striving, the faithful have been associated in a wonderful way with their own holy bishops, who have sent petitions of this kind, truly remarkable in number, to this See of the Blessed Peter. Consequently, when we were elevated to the throne of the supreme pontificate, petitions of this sort had already been addressed by the thousands from every part of the world and from every class of people, from our beloved sons the Cardinals of the Sacred College, from our venerable brethren, archbishops and bishops, from dioceses and from parishes.

UNQUOTE

The entire document is here:

vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xii_apc_19501101_munificentissimus-deus_en.html

 

[Kopratic]

@thistle; Thanks! I was just about to post here that I should have simply read the document itself. I’m not sure why I didn’t just do that in the first place. xD