What is Assumption Day?

Assumption Day is, according to the Roman Catholic church, the day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary was, along with her body and soul, accepted (or ‘assumed’) in heaven. It is usually celebrated on August 15 by Roman Catholics. In some parts of the world, it is a public holiday; in some parts it is a day of solemnity and prayers, whereas in some others, it is a day of festivities. Although in the early days of Christianity it was not certain how the Virgin Mary’s life ended, from the 5th century AD onwards, Christians believed that the she did not suffer a physical death and that she passed into heaven with her physical body and soul on Assumption Day. This was recognised through a Dogma by the Church in 1950.