The Assumption of Mary: Don’t Aim for Purgatory—Aim to Be a Saint

About this sermon

What does the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary teach us about Heaven, death, Purgatory, and becoming a saint? On the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, this powerful Catholic homily explains why the Church teaches that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven, the relationship between the Assumption and the Immaculate Conception, and how a doctrine recognized for centuries was solemnly defined as Catholic dogma. The Assumption was formally defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950, following centuries of theological reflection within the Church. The homily also explains the important distinction between Christ’s Ascension and Mary’s Assumption: Our Lord ascended by His own divine power, while Our Lady was assumed into Heaven by the power of God. But this message goes far beyond Marian theology. The Assumption points every Catholic toward the Four Last Things and forces us to ask a serious question: What will happen when it is my turn to die? Rather than living a mediocre spiritual life while hoping merely to “make it to Purgatory,” Catholics should strive for sanctity now. Aim for Heaven. Aim for holiness. Aim to become a saint. The homily warns that once the soul sees God at the particular judgment, its desire for union with Him will be beyond anything experienced in this life. The separation of Purgatory should therefore never be treated casually. Our Lady’s entrance into Heaven was presented as the end of separation and sorrow—no more goodbyes, no more sorrow, only eternal union with God. That same eternal destiny should become the goal of every Catholic life. In this homily: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Why Catholics believe Mary is body and soul in Heaven Pope Pius XII and the dogma of the Assumption The connection between the Immaculate Conception and Assumption Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary The difference between doctrine and dogma The difference between the Ascension and Assumption Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory The Catholic understanding of death and judgment Why Catholics should not “aim for Purgatory” Striving for perfection and holiness Preparing for a holy death Becoming a saint Eternal union with God in Heaven “Aim to be a saint.” May the Blessed Virgin Mary obtain for us the grace to live in such a way that the day of our death may also become the day of our entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. 00:00 The Assumption of Our Lady Into Heaven 00:33 Pope Pius XII Defines the Dogma in 1950 00:52 The Immaculate Conception and the Assumption 01:15 Sin, Death, and the Blessed Virgin Mary 01:59 Why Mary Was Assumed Into Heaven 02:06 The Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary 02:30 Did the Blessed Virgin Mary Die? 02:45 Mary, Body and Soul, in Heaven 03:00 Ascension vs. Assumption 03:44 What Is the Difference Between Doctrine and Dogma? 04:31 How the Church Defines Dogmatic Truth 04:55 Scripture, Councils, Fathers, Theology & Tradition 05:25 The Church Does Not Invent Truth 06:05 Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory 06:36 The Joy and Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary 07:10 Mary After the Resurrection of Christ 07:26 No More Goodbyes: Mary Enters Heaven 07:49 What About the Day of Our Death? 08:14 Who Will You Meet in Eternity? 08:22 Why You Should Not Aim for Purgatory 08:30 Seeing God at the Particular Judgment 09:02 The Pain of Separation From God 09:16 Live So You Can Enter Heaven 09:24 Aim to Be a Saint 09:39 Strive for Perfection, Not Mediocrity 09:47 No More Sorrow—The Eternal Welcome 10:03 Final Blessing Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #AssumptionOfMary #BlessedVirginMary #Catholic #CatholicFaith #CatholicChurch #OurLady #VirginMary #Catholicism #CatholicHomily #CatholicTeaching #Purgatory #Heaven #CatholicSaints #Sainthood #CatholicTradition