The feast of the Falling Asleep of the Blessed Virgin Mary, sometimes called The Assumption, deals with the death and the events surrounding the Mother of Jesus. Many traditions in the Church held that Christ's Apostles were either present for her death, or came together after. Some hold that when her own tomb was opened three days after her own death, that her body was missing. There are even those who hold that she did not suffer death, but was taken bodily into heaven as a gift by her son, however, this claim is rejected by Anglican Theology.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962) holds this to be a minor feast, however, the newer Book of Alternative Services (1985) recognizes it as a Holy Day which has precedence over Sundays.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: Revelation 12 There appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun: And the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
Verse: Psalm 98 O sing unto the Lord a new song: for he hath done marvellous things.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Repeat the Antiphon There appeared a great ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Page 24
O God Most High, who didst endue with wonderful virtue and grace the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord: Grant that we, who now call her blessed, may be made very members of the heavenly family of him who was pleased to be called the first-born among many brethren; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 309
Then the Apostles returned unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 1:12-14 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 309-310
Psalm 45 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear: so shall the king have pleasure in thy beauty. All glorious the King's daughter entereth: her clothing is of wrought gold.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Mary is taken up into heaven: the hosts of angels rejoice. Alleluia.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Page 24
And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth. And it came to pass that, when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit; and she spake with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour, For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me; And holy is his Name.
Luke 1:39-49 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 310
Genesis 3 I will put enmity between thee and woman: and between thy seed and her seed.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Page 25
Upon All Saints’ Day and other Festivals of Saints.
Who in the multitude of thy Saints hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Therefore with Angels, etc.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 81
St. Luke 1 All generations shall call me blessed: for he that is mighty hath magnified me.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper Supplemental, Page 25